DEVOTION: Matthew 5:1-12 English Standard Version (ESV)
The Sermon on the Mount
5 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.
The Beatitudes
2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5 "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
7 "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons[a] of God.
10 "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
There is a churchly phrase that we, as pastors, use sometimes to identify who we are as human beings saved by God's grace. It is "simul Justus et pecatur." This is a Latin phrase which means, simultaneously saint and sinner. This is who we are in Christ. Because our ancestry is from Adam and Eve, and because every person since them has been born with the sin curse, we are sinners. Yet, because ofChrist's death and resurrection, and because Christ lives in us, we are holy. We are saints.
You wanna know what a holy one (a saint) looks like? Look at the descriptions above. This is the picture of one who believes in Jesus. In fact, this is Jesus. Look at it closely. Every one of these "blessed" descriptions points us to Jesus. We can never be all of these things, because our sinful nature taints everything we do. Yet, because Christ lives in us, people will see these attributes in us.
The best thing is that we don't have to work for these things. Being poor in spirit, meek, merciful, pure In heart, etc. all come natural to us if we are in Christ Jesus and He in us. These are gifts and attributes of the Holy Spirit living in us. It is the Holy Spirit who makes us holy!
So the next time you are looking for someone to hang out with, someone to be your husband or wife, someone to be your friend, or to be a good church member, look for these attributes. Look for someone who is a peacemaker, merciful, someone who hungers and thirsts for real righteousness, someone who is mournful over sin, someone who is meek and humble. In other words, look for someone who shows you Jesus with their life.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for making me holy and filling me with your Spirit so that I can have your attitude and attributes even in my sinful state. Amen.
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CALENDAR:
Thurs- Alzheimer's Support Group 1; Confirmation make up 6pm; Lutheranism 101 7pm; Karate 6:15-7:45
Fri- Vendor Fair Set up 2;30-4:30
Sat- Vendor Fair Set up- 7-9; Vendor Fair- 9am-1pm; Worship- 5pm
Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school and Bible class 9:45
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RSHIP WORKERS:
Acolyte- 8:30- Cierra Figura; 11- Addie Hoelscher
Ushers- Larry Schulze, Scott Schulze, Gary Scott, Dave Winter
Altar- Set up- Don Hance; Clean Up- Terry McKenzie
Elder- Sat- Roy Bohning; 8:30- Don Turnure; 11- Dave Winter
Greeters- 8:30- Jim and Vickie McRae; 11- Mike and Naomi Johnson
Lay Reader- Sat- Roy Bohning; 8:30- Tim Linke; 11- Karen Benton
Pianist 11- Molly Hendershot
Organist- Sat and 8:30- Barb Dreyer
Projectionist- Sat- Kathy Fischer; 8:30- Terry McKenzie; 11- Nova Luebke
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:
How many times did Jesus feed a multitude of people? Matthew 14 :13-21 (5000) and Mark 6 : 4-9 (4000) (Thanks Don!)
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TODAY'S QUIZ: Who appeared with Jesus at his transfiguration?
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NEWS:
LADIES AID VENDOR FAIR AND BAKE SALE COMING UP THIS SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4
Come and get some Christmas shopping done and enjoy some wonderful baked good!!
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WE ARE STILL IN NEED OF NOMINATIONS FOR OUR CHURCH BOARDS!!! Below is what we need:
Board of elders- 3 men of good standing in the church who are active: main duties include, worship and communion assistance, member care, developing of budget for salary and benefits for staff. They usually meet on the second Sunday of each month at noon. (Dave Winter is timed out and two of our other elders have resigned this year.)
Board of trustees- 3 people- main duties include taking care of St. John's property and approving budget for insurance and maintenance. They meet on the second Tuesday of each month at 7pm and have several work days (usually on Saturday morning) throughout the year. (Teresa Scott and Gary Hoelscher are both timed out and Scott Heitgerd has transferred to Immanuel, Wentzville)
Board of education- 2 people needed- Main duties include planning, preparation and carrying out of Sunday school program, VBS, and other education programs. They usually meet on an as needed basis. (Naomi Johnson is unable to continue due to work and family responsibilities and Lisa Rausch's first term is up) We are in desperate need of a couple people who have the time and energy available to commit to this board.
Secretary- This is not the same as our office administrator, Terry; This person is responsible for taking minutes at voter's and council meetings, and for preparing agendas for the same. This person can also be a signer on checks and other official documents. (Patty Sweet has decided to go to a different church)
If you would like to nominate someone, including yourself, or have possible suggestions, please reply to this email, or call me at 636-359-1061
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SUNDAY SCHOOL MEMORY VERSE IS: "God is our refuge and strength a very present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1
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NEW OUTREACH BOOKLET DISPLAY AT CHURCH
Our board of outreach and evangelism purchased a set of outreach booklets on all different topics of interest. They are for you to use for yourself, but also to take to friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors who may be dealing with the things covered in these booklets or may just have questions regarding to the faith. Please check it out and as it says, PLEASE TAKE ONE!
DO YOU HAVE A THRIVENT FINANCIAL ACCOUNT OR POLICY?
You may be eligible to receive money for Little Lambs or Good Shepherd!! Go to www.thrivent.com/choicedollars to check it out!
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OPERATION BACKPACK DONATIONS FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER IS CANNED VEGETABLES. PLEASE BRING YOUR DONATIONS TO CHURCH AND PUT THEM IN THE TUB MARKED "BACKPACK BLESSINGS"!
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PRAYERS:
Two prayers for MARILYN FOSTER, 1. thanksgiving I am free of melanoma & can heal now. 2. prayers for successful Retina surgery this Friday.
For JOYCE PIETZSCHKE who is recovering from surgery on her arm after a fall.
For IVY TINNIN as she has had to take a semester off of school for health reasons.
For GEORGE HOELSCHER as he finds out the results of his tests today.
For RON HEITGERD who is home from the hospital, but will have to get dialysis three days a week .
For BUCK HAMPTON who has moved to Lincoln County Nursing and Rehab in Troy to begin receiving chemotherapy treatments.
THANKSGIVING for HEALTH AND GROWTH for CAIDEN BALDWIN, infant son of Dane and Jodi Baldwin who is doing very well after being born three months early.
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PRAYERS FOR OUR MILITARY PERSONNEL:
For SAM HARGROVE deployed in Kuwait and DAN DREYER deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan, that the Lord would keep them safe from harm during their service and bring them home safely.
For DAVID TATE stationed in Japan, COLTON FIGURA stationed in California, and ALEX WALTERS, stationed in Tennessee. That God would bless their service to our country and keep them safe as they all await possible deployment.
For CALEB FIGURA AND VINCE MASTERS who are both serving our country in the National Guard and take time out of their lives, jobs, and families to go on duty several times a year.
