DEVOTION: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 English Standard Version (ESV)
The Coming of the Lord
13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord,[a] that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
I've never been a very good encourager. Even when I was a coach I was more at home being the hard taskmaster than the rah rah cheerleader type of encourager. That doesn't work too well with 8-12 year olds. They need encouragement. Everyone needs encouragement. It is very important to make us who God wants us to be.
At the same time it does no good to encourage people with lies or with unattainable expectations. We must encourage people with the truth, and there is no greater or more encouraging truth than the one that Paul states in our lesson for today. The truth is that we will those who have "fallen asleep" in the Lord will rise and join those who are still awake and we will meet the Lord in the air! The Lord will return and make all things new! He will destroy sin and death forever. He will cause all things to be purified and made perfect! We will be with the Lord forever! There is nothing more encouraging than that. Praise the Lord!
This is a passage I often use at funerals. It is good, because we can remember that we will still grieve because we lost someone we dearly love. But we grieve differently, as if someone is going away for a while, but that we will see them again. When you are feeling down, depressed, discouraged, and think the world is falling apart; be encouraged by the day of the Lord. Know that this sinful world will not go on forever. Sin, death, the devil, and hell will, once for all, be destroyed and we will live forever with Jesus.
In a world of discouragement, be an encourager! Encourage others with the Gospel. Make sure everyone around you knows that they are forgiven. Remind people that they are God's children and his chosen creation. That he loves them with an everlasting love. At the very least invite them to church so that they can hear it from me. I may not be the best encourager when it comes to encouraging people to be all that they can be, but I love being an encourager who encourages people to live in Christ's grace, mercy, and peace. Live in it yourself today and know that he will be with you forever. Amen.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for your encouragement in the Gospel. Amen.
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CALENDAR:
Wed- Board of outreach meeting 5pm; Stephen Ministry 6; Choir 7
Thurs- Confirmation make up 6pm; Lutheranism 101 7pm; Karate 6:15-7:45
Fri- Veteran's day
Sat- Worship- 5pm
Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school and Bible class 9:45; Elder's meeting Noon
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RSHIP WORKERS:
Acolyte- 8:30- Loren Howard; 11- Nova Luebke
Ushers- Lew Feldkamp, Kent Jacobsmeyer, ???, ???
Altar- Set up- Lucille Luebke; Clean Up- Joanne Hachtel
Elder- Sat- Steve Robine; 8:30- Rich Talbert; 11-
Greeters- 8:30- Terry and Lynn Russell; 11- Dan and Lisa Rausch
Lay Reader- Sat- Judy Koprowski; 8:30- Jacob Nagel; 11- Addie Hoelscher
Pianist Sat and 8:30-- Molly Hendershot
Projectionist- Sat- Kathy Fischer??; 8:30- Erv Yoder; 11- Cierra Figura
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: To what does Jesus compare Jerusalem as he laments over them? Like chicks who will not stay under the hens wing. Luke 13:34
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TODAY'S QUIZ: Who was Mary and Martha's brother?
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NEWS:
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: "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be satisfied." Matthew 5:6
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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:
For those who mourn after the tragic church shooting in Texas on Sunday.
For COLTON FIGURA who left for a one year deployment to Turkey on Saturday.
For GEORGE HOELSCHER as his cancer is in remission for the time being. He will undergo more tests and procedures as well as another pet scan and more chemo in the next few weeks.
For LILLIAN WINTER as she undergoes surgery to remove her ovaries on Friday.
For BUCK HAMPTON who has moved to Lincoln County Nursing and Rehab in Troy to begin receiving chemotherapy treatments.
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PRAYERS FOR OUR MILITARY PERSONNEL:
For COLTON FIGURA deployed to Turkey, 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, 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.
