DEVOTION: 1 Peter 3:13-22 English Standard Version (ESV)
13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good?14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.
18 For Christ also suffered[a] once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 19 in which[b] he went and proclaimed[c] to the spirits in prison, 20 because[d] they formerly did not obey, when God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. 21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.
There have been books and books written about the theology that is put forth in this passage. There's so much stuff, like how he descended into hell to proclaim victory to the spirits in prison, that Baptism now saves you, the ascension and reign of Jesus at the right hand of God, and so much more.
I want to focus on verse 15, because the ability to give an answer for your faith is something that is extremely lacking among Christians today. I think it is because too much focus is placed on emotion and feeling and not enough on facts and knowledge.
As real and important as emotion and feeling is, we cannot base our whole faith on it. Our faith is so much more than feelings or a hunch. It is based on the real life truth that Jesus is who he says he is and did what he said he did. It is based on the fact and reality that Jesus really did rise from the dead and lives and reigns to all eternity. It is based on real, tangible, historical, provable FACTS!!
The job for you is to become acquainted with those facts and that reality, we call it THEOLOGY! Study it so that you know it and can give an answer to everyone who asks you! KNOW WHAT YOU BELIEVE, so that you can do the one thing God has called you to do, MAKE DISCIPLES!!!
Let us pray: Lord God, help me to know as much as you have revealed to me about you so that I can give it to others. Amen.
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CALENDAR:
Wed- Sewing dresses for Africa 9:30-noon; Ladies Aid noon; Last Day of School Celebration 5:30-7
Thurs- Newsletter deadline; Karate 6:15-7:45; Lutheranism 101 6:30
Fri- Bible Study at Hendershot's house 7pm
Sat- Men's Breakfast 8am; Worship 5pm
Sun- Worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; VOTER'S MEETING 9:45; Worship 11am; Marilyn's retirement Luncheon NOON
______________________________________________________________________WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS WEEK:
Acolyte- 8:30- Sarah Cluver; 11- Cameron Faerber
Ushers- Larry Schulze, Scott Schulze, Gary Scott, Dave Winter
Altar- Set up- Lucille Luebke; Clean Up- Pam Linke
Elders- Sat- Charlie Figura; 8:30- Al Benton, 11- Randy Fischer
Greeters- 8:30- Al and Karen Benton; 11- Marv and Molly Hendershot
Lay Readers- Sat- Sandra Perricone; 8:30- Karen Benton; 11- Lisa Lacy
Organist- Rachel Fisher
Sat Pianist- Molly Hendershot
Projectionists: Sat- Perricone, 8:30- Yoder; 11- Masters
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ :
What book of the Bible is Solomon's book of wisdom? Proverbs
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TODAY'S QUIZ: What does the word "Ecclesiastes" mean?
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NEWS!!!!
ALL YOUTH 3-18 YEARS OLD, LAST DAY OF SCHOOL CELEBRATIONS TONIGHT!! 5:30-7pm!!!
Supper- 5:30-6 (Hotdogs, pretzels, watermelon!!!)
Opening Devotion and Music- 6-6:15
Fun activities- 6:15-6:45
Closing devotion and Prayer time 6:45-7!!
PLEASE JOIN US!!
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MEN'S BREAKFAST IS THIS SATURDAY AT 8AM!!!!
Come for the food! Stay for the Bible Study!
PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU ARE COMING OR NOT, ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVEN"T BEEN THERE FOR A WHILE OR HAVE NEVER BEEN!
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VOTER'S MEETING THIS SUNDAY AT 9:45
All confirmed members of St. John's 18 years old and up are voting members of St. John's! Be there!!
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QUILT DRAWING IS THIS SUNDAY DURING THE VOTER'S MEETING!
There's still time to get your tickets! Call 456-2888 to get them today!
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MARILYN FOSTER'S RETIREMENT LUNCHEON IS THIS SUNDAY, MAY 21 AT NOON!
Let's shower her with gift cards and money to show our appreciation and send her into retirement with our love!
We will have fried chicken and cake, and we are asking each family to bring either a side dish or salad. Cake will be provided as well.
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ARMED FORCES SUNDAY DOOR OFFERING WILL BE ON MAY 20 and 21!!
We will be a collecting a door offering to provide for Bible sticks for our soldiers. Most armed forces personnel can't take their phone or computers with them when they are deployed and paper Bibles are too inconvenient. Bible sticks are just the right size and can fit easily into a pocket and carried wherever they go. Each Bible stick cost $25 to make and to ship. There have been over 800,000 of these Bible sticks given to soldiers since it began and thousands of more ready to ship. They just need the funds to get them out the door.
Here's one testimony from a soldier. "I am coming back into the arms of the Father who has never forsaken me. This mp3 Bible came right on time, because I have been contemplating suicide."
Please make a note for yourself to bring some money for this very worthy ministry next weekend!!!
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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 MAY IS CANNED FRUIT!!
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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!!
PRAYERS:
For LOIS BOEGER'S MOM, EVELYN TOEDEBUSCH, as she is being moved to Breeze Park this week. She is in need of more daily care.
For PAT MANNESS as she will be undergoing extensive surgery and rehab on her hand next Friday, May 26.
For the SWEET FAMILY as they mourn the loss of Patty's mom.
For a FRIEND OF AL AND KAREN BENTON who is dealing with brain cancer.
For HUNDREDS OF OUR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS WHO ARE DEALING WITH THE EFFECTS OF THE FLOOD.
For THE PEOPLE IN UGANDA who are beginning to die from starvation due to drought and famine.
For CAROL BRAZEE recovering from sinus surgery at home.
For KEN FOSTER recovering from back surgery at home.
For PAT KING, as she is recovering from knee replacement surgery at home.
For MARILYN FOSTER as she prepares for her retirement.
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.
