DEVOTION: John 20:19-31 English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus Appears to the Disciples
19 On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews,[a] Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you."20 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you." 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld."
Jesus and Thomas
24 Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin,[b] was not with them when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe."
26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." 27 Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe." 28 Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" 29 Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
The Purpose of This Book
30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
This passage of Scripture is full of comfort for us. First, we see Thomas, who had been with Jesus for a long time, saw him perform miracles, and heard him proclaim on a couple different occasions that he would die, but that he would rise from the dead three days later. Even after all of that, and even after all the rest of his friends telling him that they saw Jesus and that he was alive, he didn't believe. He doubted.
This gives us comfort in that we are just like Thomas. We can see his majesty and glory all around us as we live in his creation. We can experience the joy and peace of his forgiveness, especially as we give that forgiveness to others. We have billions of brothers and sisters worldwide who believe and can witness and testify to the faith, and yet we doubt.
The good news is that even in our doubt, the Lord Jesus doesn't leave us. He doesn't get disgusted with us and give up on us. He doesn't strike us dead for our lack of faith. He gives us more evidence. He gives us Himself in His Word, water, bread and wine. He gives us His love through the love of others. He strengthens our faith.
The other note of comfort is that all these things are written for us, so that we believe. We can have comfort in knowing that God thinks so much of us and loves us so much that he revealed himself to us in his Word so that we can believe in Him. He could've kept himself hidden, but he chose to reveal himself out of his love for us.
In the middle of living in this messed up world, and even in the middle of your own weakness and doubt, I urge you to find the comfort, assurance, and strength you need all in his Word. Find comfort in him!
Let us pray: Lord God, when I doubt strengthen my faith so that I may be a witness to your great love. Comfort me and give me peace in you. Amen.
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CALENDAR:
Thurs- Newsletter deadline, Pregnancy Options Center Banquet 7pm
Fri- Confirmation Questioning and reception 7pm
Sat- LWML ZONE RALLY 9am; Worship 5pm
Sun- Worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; Special Confirmation worship 11 w/ Holy Communion
______________________________________________________________________WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS WEEK:
Acolyte- 8:30- Nova Luebke; 11- Dulci Rahn
Ushers- 8:30- Dave Callies, Marv. Hendershot, Don Luebke, Don Nolte
11- Charlie Figura, Jason Figura, Brett Nordwald, Erv Yoder
Altar- Set up- Cheri' Hofeldt; Clean Up- Cheryl Bettlach
Elders- Sat- Jim Rahn; 8:30- Al Benton, 11- Steve Robine
Greeters- 8:30- Erv Yoder; 11- Al and Karen Benton
Lay Readers- Sat- Jim Rahn; 6:30- Jacob Nagel ; 11- Lisa Lacy
Organist- Rachel Fisher
Sat Pianist- Kathy Barrow
Projectionists: 8:30- Erv Yoder; 11- Terry McKenzie (Thanks so much Terry!)
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ
Besides David, who wrote the Psalms?
Solomon, the sons of Korah, Asaph, Heman, and Ethan, and Moses (Psalm 90)
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TODAY'S QUIZ: Find a Psalm or a verse of a Psalm that asks God to deliver from enemies.
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NEWS!!!!
CONFIRMATION ACTIVITIES THIS WEEK!!
Friday- Questioning and Reception 7pm
Sunday- Reading of essays and Rite of Confirmation 11am
Please come to join us in celebrating the faith of these youth!
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JOB OPENING FOR OUR CHURCH SECRETARY. RESUME DEADLINE IS SUNDAY, APRIL 30!!!
Starting salary $25,000 plus benefits including health insurance.
Resumes are now being accepted. You can email them to pastor or bring them in to pastor at his office. Interviews will take place once all resumes are received. The name of the person that the interview committee chooses will be brought to the voter's assembly for approval on Sunday, May 21.
Please email resumes to me or bring them in to my office.
Below is the Job Description
Please note that a lot of the work requires proficiency in several different computer programs. Programs such as Excel, Word, Powerpoint, and several financial record keeping programs are used on a regular basis.
FULL TIME Church Office Administrator/Secretary Job Description
Purpose: To serve the church by providing administrative and secretarial services to the Pastor and various committees and board.
- Receive and screen incoming calls, taking clear messages and returning calls, if asked, of the Pastor. Many times it just requires a "compassionate listener" for members calling that just want to talk. Many use the church office as a place to get information on other members who are ill or moved or for telephone numbers.
- Maintain an accurate and up to date calendar of church activities and meetings.
a. Co-ordinate all activities between church basement rentals (collecting fees with Trustee guidelines) meetings, activities, keep cleaning service informed if cleaning time interferes.
b. Co-ordinate between Pre-school activities and church activities
- Prepare weekly bulletins, monthly newsletters, various agendas for church council, elders, voters meetings etc, and make necessary copies.
- Maintain communication with shut-in members. Mail weekly bulletins, "HomeTouch" devotion and activity sheets weekly. Mail monthly newsletters.
- Pick up, sort and open mail, direct to appropriate persons in congregation, draft responses as required. Insure outgoing mail is mailed daily.
a. Newsletters and other bulk mail is taken to post office and packaged according to postal regulations.
b. Make sure money is kept on deposit at the post office to cover mailings and returned mail.
- Maintain up to date and organized files and records as required.
a. Such as membership information – mail personal letters to new members
b. Mail letters to Memorial donors
c. General bookkeeping for the congregation ie: co-ordinate with Financial Secretary each week to insure funds placed in proper accounts, make sure all bills are accurate and paid promptly, payroll for employees (church staff, Little Lambs) pay federal & state taxes & file tax forms, keep up to date with Concordia Plan Services on changes. File the employees Concordia Plan Retirement Fund.
d. Financial reports for congregation
e. Maintain records of Little Lambs expenses, paid by congregation, for monthly bill
f. Make out W-2 & 1099 forms and file by January 31.
- Keep in touch with the Trustees regarding items needing immediate attention.
- Keep Pastor informed of members with health issues so that contact can be made.
- Maintain current birthday and anniversary list for the Elders. Advise elders of new members, attendance issues, and other things necessary regarding the members in each Elder's group.
- Co-ordinate and order Altar flowers, making sure flowers are paid from the members.
- Enter attendance records weekly.
- Secure volunteer help when needed, bulletins, newsletters & other projects. Keep list of those that want to volunteer.
- Prepare monthly schedules for Greeters, Lay Readers, Acolytes, and yearly usher schedule.
- Weekly Power Point for church news before service begins.
- Work with Pastor and other church committees and boards as necessary in developing new ideas or special projects and in carrying out the ministry of the church.
- Keep informed on openings in Preschool to inform parents that call wanting information on Little Lambs – take enrollment forms and fees, especially during summer months.
- Keep office equipment in working order – order all office supplies – Altar Guild supplies – order items for boards Sunday School & Little Lambs when needed.
- Attend Council and Voters meetings.
- ShopwScrip ordering
- Maintain confidentiality of all formal and informal communications you may read, have or may overhear unless specifically permitted to share with others.
- Manage and update church website and all social media on a weekly basis
- Prepare Powerpoint for worship when volunteer is unavailable.
- Church membership is not required, but if he or she is a member, he or she must be faithful in worship attendance and in stewardship of time, talents, and treasures.
- He or she should attend Stephen Ministry training as soon as it is offered.
- Cooperate with pastor and others to do other nonspecific duties as needed
- Have the same attitude as Christ- that is-take on the form of a servant in the performance of your duties at St. John's.
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LOSING TO GAIN UPDATE 10.5 lbs in 17 days. I'm about two lbs. behind. I will get back on track! TO make my goal I have to lose 2/3 of a lb a day the rest of the way out. I WILL MAKE IT!!
Between Monday, April 3 and Friday, September 1, I plan on losing as much weight as possible and as is healthy for me to lose. My goal, the Lord willing, is 100lbs. which averages out to about 2/3 of a pound a day.
I would like all of you to consider sponsoring me with a pledge of money per pound. It can be $100, $10, $1, .50, or whatever per pound. The amount is up to you.
You will also have your choice of three different causes to donate to.
Lead a Child-- An organization that raises money for Lutheran churches and schools in third world countries so that kids can go to school, get a quality education, and learn about Jesus. (Go to www.leadachild.org to learn more)
Warren County Literacy Inc.--- Helping children achieve and grow in literacy in Warren County. Our main emphasis is the bookcase project in which bookcases and books are donated to between 60-80 children from the Youth In Need and Headstart programs in Warren County. We also have several "Little Free Libraries" around the county. (Check it out on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Warren-County-Literacy-Inc-1763714847229903/?ref=bookmarks or http://www.warrencountybookcaseproject.org/
Warren County Pregnancy Option Center--- This will be a place where expectant mothers and fathers can go and get counseling, coaching and referrals to medical services they need so that they can keep their child or give it up for adoption. Our first annual banquet is Thursday, April 20 at 7pm at Holy Rosary, and I still need two people to fill the table. More info will be coming soon about a Facebook page and websites.
Please reply to this email if you'd like to pledge, and I will record it for you!
I started out at 336lbs on Monday, and I am down to 332 as of yesterday afternoon. Please pray for me and for this endeavor! Keep me accountable!
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BIBLE STUDY AT HENDERSHOTS CANCELED FOR THIS FRIDAY, APRIL 21
Due to confirmation questioning being the same evening and the LWML Zone Rally the next day, the Hendershots are going to cancel their monthly Bible study and fellowship. It will resume on Friday, May 19!
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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
Go to www.kroger.com/communityawards and register your card today!!
GENERAL PRAYER
For PAT MANNESS, who is home and recovering from a fall.
For KATHY FISCHER, recovering from surgery at home.
For CAROL BRAZEE having sinus surgery next Tuesday.
For KEN FOSTER having back surgery next Thursday.
For HOLLY FAERBER, who is still dealing with undiagnosed pain in her hip and lower abdomen.
For PAT KING, as she is recovering from knee replacement surgery at home.
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.
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