DEVOTION: Mark 9:2-9 English Standard Version (ESV)
The Transfiguration
2 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, 3 and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one[a] on earth could bleach them. 4 And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. 5 And Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi,[b] it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah." 6 For he did not know what to say, for they were terrified. 7 And a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came out of the cloud, "This is my beloved Son;[c] listen to him." 8 And suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone with them but Jesus only.
9 And as they were coming down the mountain, he charged them to tell no one what they had seen, until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
Why do you think Jesus told them not to tell anyone? Could it be that it would be mistaken? Could it be that they wouldn't be believed? Could it be that the other disciples would become jealous? YES! It could be all these things. Sometimes people can't handle the truth. Sometimes people change the truth to fit their own needs and wants. Other times, God just wants us to wait for the opportune time and place.
Whatever the case, the truth is the truth. We can't change it to fit our own brains. We can't make Jesus say what he doesn't say. We can't get jealous or angry with God when he doesn't do what we want him to do. We just have to let the truth be the truth.
There are also times when the truth won't be accepted the way it should be. This is most likely what it happening here. Jesus still had work to do and if the disciples would've started blabbing about what they had just seen and heard, Jesus would've been arrested a whole lot faster, and the rest of the people might've just as easily turned against Jesus and the disciples instead of coming to him and hearing the good news.
The only way you can handle the good news is by the Holy Spirit working in your heart. If it wasn't for the Holy Spirit, you would never be able to accept it or believe it. Rejoice that the Holy Spirit has come upon you through your baptism and through your hearing and that you have come to accept and believe the truth! Rejoice in the truth! Speak the truth to people who are ready to hear it! Love people! Get into relationships with people so that their hearts are open to hearing the good news from you! Let his Word soften hearts and bring the dead to life!
Prayer: Lord, I know that sometimes, even I don't handle the truth as I should. Help me to discern when I should speak your truth of law and when I should speak your truth of Gospel so that hearts may receive the good news with joy and faith. Amen.
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CALENDAR:
Thurs- Basement reserved 11:30; Karate 6:15-7:30; Confirmation make up 5-6:15
Sat- worship 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school and adult Bible class 9:45; Elder's meeting noon
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WORSHIP WORKERS:
Acolyte- 8:30- Abby Vossen; 11- Cierra Figura
Ushers- Sat- Marv Hendershot; Sun- Don Turnure, Don Nolte, Brent Davis, Larry Schulze; 11- Gary Scott
Altar- set up- Cheri Hofeldt; Clean Up- Sandy Robine
Communion assistant- Sat- Roy Bohning; 8:30- Don Turnure, 11- Al Benton
Greeters- 8:30- Tom and Pam Linke; 11- Mike and Naomi Johnson
Projectionists- Sat- Perricone; 8:30- Yoder; 11- Dulci Rahn
Lay Readers- Sat- Roy Bohning; 8:30- John Hachtel 11- Cierra Figura???
Organist- Pat Golden
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TODAY'S QUIZ: Who were the Kohathites?
From Don Nolte: Kohath was the second of the three sons of Levi and head of the house of Kohathite Levites. Moses and Aaron were from Kohath's line. Aaron's of Kothites was the priestly line. Aaron's line thus received cities near the site of the temple, where they will serve, namely, Jerusalem. The nonpriestly Kothathites did not need to receive cities near Jerusalem because they would not necessarily serve at the temple each day. Their cities and pasturelands are recorded in Joshua chapter 21.
From Pat King: So, no one answered this yesterday? Okay, then, I'll give it a shot. Because I know EVERYTHING!!!!!
So, little known fact.... these dudes were the forerunners of the Klingons. No lie! They even start their names with the same letter. But they all got their start with the tribe of Levi. Apparently, the Levi tribe was made up of 3 smaller sub-groups: the Kohathites, the Merarites, and the Gershonites. (Numbers 26:57). These clans were named after Levi's 3 sons.
While each group were members of the priestly guild, they each had specific duties that were theirs alone. The Kohathites were responsible for taking care of the objects associated with the sanctuary. Sort of like our modern-day altar guild.
Anyway, you can read more about them here: https://www.gotquestions.org/Kohathites-Gershonites-Merarites.html
Oh, and the Klingons, were Levi's indigression. They descended from his daughter Kling. And that's the truth!
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TODAY'S QUIZ: What were the names of the twelve spies who went from the wilderness to spy on the promised land before they entered it?
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NEWS:
BABY BOTTLE FUNDRAISER UPDATE FOR THE PREGNANCY OPTIONS CENTER!
So far we've raised $727.36 through our baby bottle campaign with quite a few bottles still out there. If you took a bottle home with you, make sure you bring it back this week or weekend full of cash, coins, or checks!! Let's support keeping babies alive in Warren County!!
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LAST SUNDAY'S WORSHIP VIDEO
Watch and Share!
Still working on the sound troubles for mobile phones and some tablets. If anyone has a solution or knows someone who might, please have them contact me.) You can watch it on most computers and laptops just fine.
https://youtu.be/dPDFP35atl4
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YOUTH GROUP STEAK DINNER AND AUCTION IS SATURDAY, MARCH 10!!
Tickets will go on sale at church this weekend after services.
AUCTION ITEMS ARE NEEEDED!!
If you have any good items that they youth could use for the auction, please bring them by church any time we're open! If you leave something when pastor isn't here, please put a note on it to tell us that it is from you.
CHILI COOK-OFF AND BOARD GAMES ON SATURDAY, FEB. 17 @ 6PM!!
Do you think you have THE BEST chili recipe known to man? Do you like to compete? Then sign up for our chili cook-off and come and join us for a fun evening with your friends at St. John's!! Invite your friends! We'll start right after our Saturday worship!!
ALL PARENTS WILL BE RECEIVING A LETTER IN THE MAIL THIS WEEK!!
If you have any kids between the ages of 0-18 who are members of St. John's, I want you at a luncheon and meeting on Sunday, Feb 25 at noon to discuss the future of your kid's faith life and your involvement in it. The meeting will not take more than an hour, but will hopefully make a lasting impact on how you see your role in your child's faith life, what you can do to help it, and how the church and pastor can help you help your child. Let's grow our youth into the great Christian adults god intended them to be!
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NEWSLETTERS WILL NO LONGER BE MAILED!!!
This past week was the last week you'll receive your newsletter in the mail unless you are shut-in, in the military or live far away from home for some reason. You'll have to come to church to get it!
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RETIREMENT SEMINARS AVAILABLE. WHO IS INTERESTED?
Denny Hagan from eldercare associates would like to know how many people would be interested in attending one or more of the following seminars if he were to come out to St. John's to do them.
- Identity theft. With tax season coming, this is a serious concern to not only seniors, but to everybody that has a Social Security Number. As a matter of fact, the most profitable Information on the net, is for children. It takes much longer to catch the issue, due to lack of use of the children's numbers.
- Changes in how Medicare Part B, is billed to Seniors, It is more important than ever that one takes the time to plan their retirement. Medicare part B is billed based on one's income, and to make it even more confusing, it is based on your income of 2 years ago. Now, before we start scaring anybody, If they are already receiving benefits, this new rule, will not apply. All of these rules, are changes in Social Security.
- Understanding Social Security: how to get all that is coming to you and making the most of it.
If anyone is interested in any of these, please let me know, and if we get enough people interested, we will get Denny to come out and do a presentation.
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A NEW SUPPORT GROUP FOR SOLDIERS HAS FORMED CALLED "WARRIORS' JOURNEY HOME"
It is a nonsectarian, nonpolitical group that will be meeting the second Sunday of the month at 2pm at Bridgeway Behavioral Health 1206 E. Veteran's memorial Parkway in Warrenton. Rev. Dr. Gary Ellul (retired from the Army, a licensed counselor, and pastor at St. Paul's In Jonesburg) will be leading the group. You can call his office if you are interested or know someone who is. Phone number is 636-224-1411. Pamphlets are on the counter in the narthex if you would like more information.
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OFFERING ENVELOPES ARE ON THE SHELVES UNDERNEATH THE CHURCH MAILBOXES IN THE NARTHEX IF YOU HAVEN'T PICKED THEM UP YET!
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OUR LAST DIRECTORY (Last updated in August of 2016) has a lot of outdated phone numbers. If your number has changed, please call the office 456-2888 and let Terry know!
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DUE TO SOME TROUBLES WITH OUR CHURCH EMAIL ADDRESS WE HAVE HAD TO GET A NEW ONE
Our new email address is sjwarrlutheran@gmail.com. Please change it in your address books!!
Pastor's email, revklaus@hotmail.com will remain the same.
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LITTLE LAMBS IS STILL SELLING CANDY BARS AND COULD USE YOUR HELP!
If you'd like to help sell a box or two of candy bars as a fundraiser for Little Lambs preschool. Let Terry or one of the preschool ladies know. They'll hook you up right quick!
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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 FEBRUARY IS CANNED VEGETABLES.
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PRAYERS:
For RAYMOND SLAYDEN, son of Lil Winter, as he is having the same trouble as she is with a-fib and congestive heart troubles
For LIL WINTER as she deals with heart troubles.
For PAUL TOEDEBUSCH as he continues to recover from a broken leg and severely sprained ankle. He has to wear a boot for 4 more weeks, but can walk on it and use a cane to get around.
For GEORGE HOESCHER, GINA BOHNING (Roy Bohning's wife), BUCK HAMPTON, and DENISE HOOKER (Betty Tameler's daughter) as they continue to deal with cancer.
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.
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