DEVOTION: 1 Samuel 3:1-20 English Standard Version (ESV)
The Lord Calls Samuel
3 Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the Lord in the presence of Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision.
2 At that time Eli, whose eyesight had begun to grow dim so that he could not see, was lying down in his own place. 3 The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was.
4 Then the Lord called Samuel, and he said, "Here I am!" 5 and ran to Eli and said, "Here I am, for you called me." But he said, "I did not call; lie down again." So he went and lay down.
6 And the Lord called again, "Samuel!" and Samuel arose and went to Eli and said, "Here I am, for you called me." But he said, "I did not call, my son; lie down again." 7 Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.
8 And the Lord called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli and said, "Here I am, for you called me." Then Eli perceived that the Lord was calling the boy. 9 Therefore Eli said to Samuel, "Go, lie down, and if he calls you, you shall say, 'Speak, Lord, for your servant hears.'" So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
10 And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant hears." 11 Then the Lord said to Samuel, "Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which the two ears of everyone who hears it will tingle. 12 On that day I will fulfill against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. 13 And I declare to him that I am about to punish his house forever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God,[a] and he did not restrain them.14 Therefore I swear to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever."
15 Samuel lay until morning; then he opened the doors of the house of the Lord. And Samuel was afraid to tell the vision to Eli. 16 But Eli called Samuel and said, "Samuel, my son." And he said, "Here I am."17 And Eli said, "What was it that he told you? Do not hide it from me. May God do so to you and more also if you hide anything from me of all that he told you." 18 So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. And he said, "It is the Lord. Let him do what seems good to him."
19 And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. 20 And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established as a prophet of the Lord.
Sometimes you have to tell the truth even if the truth is going to hurt. Samuel had to tell the man who was raising him that his sons were going to be killed because of what they had been doing by unlawfully taking the meat from the Lord's sacrifices. Eli, their father, rebuked them for it, but they wouldn't listen to him, and so all three of them perished for their sins. In the end, all three of them died on the same day.
As a pastor, I often have to call people out on their sins. It's no fun. I hate to do it. The worst part is that when I do, I usually don't get the same reaction that Eli gave to Samuel. It's usually more the way that Eli's sons treated him. They didn't listen.
Here's the deal folks. It is always a good thing to tell the truth, but it must be told in love. If it is told in love, then the conscience is clear. Samuel simply told the truth and his conscience was clear. He continued to grow into one of the greatest prophets of God ever, so much so, that we still read about him and read his words today some 3,000 years later.
I encourage you to tell the truth and to live by the truth. If someone is sinning, whether it be against you or simply against God, go and show him his fault just between the two of you. If he/she listens you have won your brother/sister over. And that's really what you want, isn't it? You want to restore the relationship? You have want to have a clear conscience. You want to tell the truth. You want to do what God wants you to do.
Tell the truth, especially when it comes to Jesus! He is the truth! It is all about him and faith in him! Always tell the truth about the life and salvation of Jesus the Christ so that all may know of his love.
Prayer: Lord God, help me to tell the truth, especially when it comes to your Word, Jesus, who is the way, the truth, and the life! Amen.
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CALENDAR:
Tues- Quilting 9-2; Trustees 7
Wed- Outreach 5; Stephen Ministry 6; Security meeting 7
Thurs- karate 6:15
Sat- Stephen Ministry training 8am; worship 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school and adult Bible class 9:45; Elders Noon
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WORSHIP WORKERS:
Acolyte- 8:30- Addie Hoelscher; 11- Loren Howard
Ushers- Sat- Marv Hendershot; Sun- Don Turnure, Don Nolte, Brent Davis, Larry Schulze
Altar- Set up- Marilyn Foster; Clean Up- Sandy Robine
Communion assistant- Sat- Randy Fischer; 8:30- Don Turnure, 11- Al Benton
Greeters- 8:30- Lew and Dianne Feldkamp; 11- Joan Sexton
Projectionists- Sat- Kathy Fischer; 8:30- Terry McKenzie; 11- Cameron Faerber
Lay Readers- Sat- Sandra Perricone; 8:30- Lois Boeger 11- Cierra Figura
Organist- Sat and Sun- Pat Golden
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TODAY'S QUIZ Who was the Abimelech that Abraham encountered?
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NEWS:
ADULT BIBLE STUDY TASK FORCE FORMING
I am in need of one or two more people who are interested in forming a "curriculum" for our adult Bible studies for this year. Please reply to this email if you are interested! We need more Bible studies and more people involved in them.
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INSTALLATION OF CONGREGATIONAL OFFICERS AND BOARD MEMBERS IS THIS SUNDAY!!
Since we had the "ice storm" this past weekend that kept a bunch of people home, we will do the installation this coming weekend. Please make plans to be there if you are on a board or are one of our officers!!
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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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A NEW AND EXPANDED VERSION OF LUTHER'S SMALL CATECHISM IS AVAILABLE AT A REDUCED PRICE OF $14.49!!
It is a great tool for learning and for daily meditation and devotions. Sign up to get your copy in the narthex today!
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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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SUNDAY SCHOOL MEMORY VERSE IS: Where is he who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east and have come to worship him. Matt. 2:2
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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 JANUARY IS CANNED FRUIT.
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PRAYERS:
For BOB LINKE who is home from the hospital and recovering from breathing troubles. Cause was not clearly identified.
For PAT JAEGER as she is having carpel tunnel surgery today.
For PAUL TOEDEBUSCH as he continues to recover from a sprained his ankle and broke a bone in his leg.
For LEO BADER as he recovers from hip replacement surgery.
For GEORGE HOELSCHER, BUCK HAMPTON, DENISE HOOKER (Betty Tameler's daughter) as they continue to deal with cancer.
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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.
