DEVOTION: John 7:37-39 English Standard Version (ESV)
Rivers of Living Water
37 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'" 39 Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
What does it mean when Jesus says "If anyone thirsts"? Are you thirsty? Should you be? Is it even on your radar screen? Do you spend any time thinking about these things? The truth is that EVERYONE is thirsty. It's just a matter of how one quenches that thirst.
Jesus says to come to him when you are thirsty and drink of him! I know, from experience, that nothing quenches a thirst for belonging, love, peace, purpose, or contentment like Jesus does. You're always going to be looking for the next party or the next opportunity to get drunk or high. You're always going to be wanting to buy the next thing. You're always going to be searching for that next hook up, that next shallow relationship. You're always going to be searching for that next achievement, that next promotion.
When you "drink" of these things you'll always be thirsty again, usually immediately afterward. When you "drink" of Jesus through his Word and Sacraments you will never be thirsty again. The love, forgiveness, and peace of Jesus always completely satisfies!
True worship and true fellowship with the saints in church is what satisfies! Coming to God's house and hearing his Word, eating his body, drinking his blood, fellowshipping with his body (fellow Christians) is what truly fills you! No amount of staying at home on Sunday is gonna make you feel better. You can't stay away from God's Word and Sacraments and expect to be satisfied with your job, your stuff, your accomplishments. You're always going to feel empty inside, and your tank is gonna run on empty all week without getting filled up on Jesus!
Take time to fill up your spiritual tank this week! Take time to "drink" of Jesus and get your fill!! Go to church! Do devotions at home. Pray without ceasing! And when all is said and done, know that, by virtue of your baptism and faith in Christ, you are filled with the Spirit. Let him live in you! Let him thrive in you! REST in his grace and peace!
Prayer: Lord, thank you for promising and sending your Holy Spirit upon us. Help us to partake of the gifts you give through which the Holy Spirit works so that we may grow daily in your grace. Amen. _______________________________________________________________________
CALENDAR:
Thurs- Alzheimers Support Group 1pm; Karate 6:15-7:45; Lutheranism 101 6:30; CHOIR 7pm
Sun- Worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; Worship 11am; Shop w/ Scrip orders due
______________________________________________________________________WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS WEEK:
Acolyte- 8:30- Loren Howard; 11- Gus Klaustermeier
Ushers- George, Gary, and Ben Hoelscher; and Brent Davis
Altar- Set up- Ruth Walters; Clean Up- Sandy Robine
Elders- Sat- Al Benton; 8:30- Roy Bohning 11- Jason Cluver??
Greeters- 8:30- John and Anna Hoenig; 11- Marv and Molly Hendershot
Lay Readers- Sat- Marcia Sevier; 8:30- Roy Bohning; 11- Stephanie Owenby
Sat Pianist- Kathy Barrow
Projectionists: Sat- Mauch, 8:30- McKenzie; 11- Savannah Masters
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Besides the Bible itself, where else could we find all the other events of Solomon's life from beginning to end if they were still available? (Hint the answer is found at the same place as the record of Solomon's death.)
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NEWS!!!!
PARADE FLOAT MEETING NEXT TUESDAY, JUNE 6 AT 7PM!!
Would you like to participate in building a float to represent St. John's in our Fair Parade? Come to this meeting to give your ideas. We'd like to do something to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation.
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NO BIBLE STUDY AT HENDERSHOT'S IN JUNE! They will be on vacation. It will resume in July.
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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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PRAYERS:
For CORA CLUVER, who is hospitalized with bleeding in her digestive tract, whose cause is still unidentified.
For MARIANNE LINKE as she is recovering well from heart surgery (a stent was put in) at home.
For SUE RUHL, as she continues to recover from a broken hip at Parklane rehab in Wentzville.
For PAT MANNESS as she is recovering from hand and wrist surgery at home.
For Dawn Frye's dad, WALTER BRADLEY, who has been diagnosed with cancer and will be undergoing intense radiation therapy.
For LOIS BOEGER'S MOM, EVELYN TOEDEBUSCH, as she has been moved to Breeze Park for more extensive and round the clock care.
For a FRIEND OF AL AND KAREN BENTON who is dealing with brain cancer.
For CAROL BRAZEE recovering from sinus 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 off the treatments for a month and then he will have tests to see
how the cancer is doing. He is still using the feeding tube.
