DEVOTION: Romans 5:1-11 English Standard Version (ESV)
Peace with God Through Faith
5 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith[b] into this grace in which we stand, and we[c]rejoice[d] in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
I hope you understand from this that God the Father does not hold anything against you. You are at peace with him. And as long as you remain in faith and believe that Jesus died on the cross for you, he will continue to have nothing against you. He will always forgive you and love you.
You know when you are truly "at peace" with someone, how you want to show them you love them and care for them? Don't you do the things that they he or she likes you to do? Don't you try to make them happy?
Think about what happens to you and to your heart when you truly believe and receive God's forgiveness and love. It changes you, doesn't it? Doesn't the realization that all of your sins are forgiven for all eternity give you a new and better perspective on life? Doesn't it make you want to go and forgive others the same way God has forgiven you? Doesn't it make you want to live a life that is pleasing to God and that honors him? Doesn't it make you want to get rid of the sin and stay away from temptations as much as possible? Doesn't it make you want to acknowledge him in every part of your life? Doesn't it make you want to surrender to him out of love and honor and let him have his way with your life?
Make no mistake. God has truly sent His Son into the world to save sinners of whom I am the worst. Christ died for you while you were still his enemy. He turned you from his enemy into his child. The Father sent the Son, and the Son accomplished everything the Father sent him to do. It has all been done for you. How you live your life and how people see you is a response to God's never ending love and forgiveness for you! Trust in his real and true forgiveness and love and let it take you over, body and soul!
Prayer: Lord, thank you for dying for me even though I was your enemy. Thank you for giving me forgiveness and life through holy baptism and through faith. Help me to trust in your love for me more each day so that my whole life may honor you and witness to your love. Amen.
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CALENDAR:
Wed- Supper 5:30; Worship 6:30; Choir 7:15
Thurs- Confirmation make up 5:30-6:30; Karate 6:15-7:45
Fri- Assemble newsletter 9am
Sat- worship 5pm; CHILI COOK OFF 6pm!!
Sun- worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45
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WORSHIP WORKERS:
Acolyte- Wed- Cameron Faerber 8:30- Addie Hoelscher; 11- Savannah Masters
Ushers- Wed-Don Turnure, Don Nolte, Brent Davis, Larry Schulze; Sat- Don Tate; Sun- Rich Talbert, Tom Linke, Don Hance, Kent Jacobsmeyer; 11- Jason Figura
Altar- Wednesday candles- Don Hance; Sun- set up- Don Hance; Clean Up- Paul and Teresa Brockfeld
Communion assistant- Sat- Randy Fischer; 8:30- Rich Talbert, 11- Al Benton
Greeters- 8:30- Don and Donna Sherman; 11- Dan and Lisa Rausch
Projectionists- Sat- Kathy Fischer; 8:30- McKenzie 11- Cameron Faerber
Lay Readers- Sat- Don Nolte; 8:30- Steve McDowell 11- Loren Howard
Organist- Wed- Pat Golden; Sun- Ned Quest
Pianists- Sat- Molly Hendershot
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: What were the Israelites supposed to do to sorcerers, spiritists, mediums, and fortune tellers that were found to be in their midst? From Don Nolte-- King Josiah in 2 Chronicles 34 burned the priest's bodies on their altars.
(Where ya at Pat?)
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TODAY'S QUIZ: What are burnt offerings?
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NEWS:
LENTEN MIDWEEK SUPPER TONIGHT at 5:30 AND WORSHIP AT 6:30
Supper- Chili, hotdogs, salad, dessert
Worship--This year during our Lenten worship we're going to do something different. We will be doing an interactive message time in which we will all formulate our own versions of the "Gospel in seven words".
If someone were to come to you and ask you to tell them what you believe in seven words or less, what would you say? In this fast paced, information age, you may not have much more than that to get the Gospel out to someone. How would you respond to that request?
I am very excited to see how we come up with our conclusions and what our extremely concise profession and confessions of faith will look like! You'll have to join us on Wednesday to find out what it's all about!!
CHILI COOK-OFF AND BOARD GAMES THIS SATURDAY, FEB. 24 @ 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!!
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ALL PARENTS NEED TO RSVP TO ME SO I KNOW YOU'RE COMING TO OUR MEETING ON SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25 @ NOON!!
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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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 there just put a note on it saying it was from you! Thank you in advance!
RETIREMENT SEMINARS SCHEDULED FOR TUESDAY, APRIL 3 AND TUESDAY APRIL 24 AT 6PM!!
Denny Hagan from Eldercare Associates will be here on April 3 to talk about Identity protection and Asset preservation. And then again on April 24 to talk about Social Security. ICE CREAM WILL BE SERVED!!
Please sign up on the counter in the narthex or call the church office to let us know you will be there.
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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 DENISE HOOKER (Betty Tameler's daughter) who is recovering from surgery.
For BILL MCKENZIE, (Terry McKenzie's father in law), who will be going home from the hospital on Friday, and will be placed on hospice.
For LIL WINTER as she deals with heart troubles.
For GEORGE HOESCHER, GINA BOHNING (Roy Bohning's wife), and BUCK HAMPTON, 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.
