DEVOTION: Psalm 19 English Standard Version (ESV)
The Law of the Lord Is Perfect
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.
19 The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above[a] proclaims his handiwork.
2 Day to day pours out speech,
and night to night reveals knowledge.
3 There is no speech, nor are there words,
whose voice is not heard.
4 Their voice[b] goes out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world.
In them he has set a tent for the sun,
5 which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
and its circuit to the end of them,
and there is nothing hidden from its heat.
7 The law of the Lord is perfect,[c]
reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure,
making wise the simple;
8 the precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure,
enlightening the eyes;
9 the fear of the Lord is clean,
enduring forever;
the rules[d] of the Lord are true,
and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold,
even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
and drippings of the honeycomb.
11 Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
12 Who can discern his errors?
Declare me innocent from hidden faults.
13 Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins;
let them not have dominion over me!
Then I shall be blameless,
and innocent of great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in your sight,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
As you read this, doesn't it make you just want to say, WOOHOO! David is recounting everything about God and he can't find one fault. There Is nothing about the Lord's law that isn't perfect, sure, right, pure, clean or true. His will is perfect!
So why is it , even after we know these things, that we would rather not do his will ? Why would we rather run after gold than study and search his commandments and his rules, and learn to fear him which is much more precious? The answers to this question are many and none of them are good. The core answer is that by our very nature we are sinful. From the moment we were brought into being we were tainted with sin. Just by virtue of being born of two human parents we are sinful. So we cannot, by our own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ or come to him. We can't do his will!
Thankfully the Holy Spirit has called us by the Gospel, enlightened us with his gifts of His Word and His Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper, sanctified and kept us in the one true faith! Since we have been called, gathered, enlightened, and sanctified, the Holy Spirit now lives in us. So now, just like David, we can exclaim that his law is perfect, sure, right, pure, clean and true! We can love his law and realize that his will is good for us. We don't always act like it is, but it is.
So Christians, let's praise God for his law! Let's bless the Lord for all the good he gives and does! Let's thank the Lord for revealing his will to us so that, by His power and because of his mercy and grace we can do it.
Let us pray: Lord, thank you for your revealing your will to us. It is most certainly just and right. Holy Spirit, make us treat your will with the respect, honor, and fear you deserve, and give us the power and strength to do it. Amen.
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CALENDAR:
Mon- Confirmation 5-6:15
Tues- Quilting 9-2; Stephen Ministry 6pm
Wed- Oak Pointe Worship 10am; Supper 5:30; Worship 6:30; Choir 7:15
Thurs- Alzheimer's support group 1pm; Stephen Ministry 6; Confirmation make up 5:30-6:30; Karate 6:15-7:45
Sun- worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45; USHER'S MEETING AT 9:45!!; Basement reserved 2pm
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Acolyte- Wed- Cierra Figura; 8:30- Nova Luebke ; 11- Luke Rausch
Ushers- Wed- Lew Feldkamp, Rich Boeger, Brett Nordwald, Scott Schulze; Sat- Bob Linke Sun- Alan Hoffeldt, Tim Linke, Gary Hoelscher, Ben Hoelscher ; 11- Dave Winter
Altar- Wednesday candles- Don Hance; Sun- set up- Lucille Luebke; Clean Up- Pam Linke
Communion assistant- Sat- Roy Bohning; 8:30- Jason Cluver, 11- Dave Winter
Greeters- 8:30- Dave and Hope Tinnin; 11- Joan Sexton
Projectionists- Sat- Perricone; 8:30- Yoder 11- Abby Vossen
Lay Readers- Sat- Marcia Sevier; 8:30- Jennifer Figura 11- Dulci Rahn
Organist- Wed and Sun- Barb Dreyer
Pianists- Sat- Kathy Barrow
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: What are burnt offerings?
Pat King: Well, duh! Read Don's answer to yesterday's quiz! Sorcerers, spiritists, mediums, and fortune tellers were the burnt offerings!
Not the answer you want? Of course not.
So, in addition to the ones already named – plus meals cooked by new brides - they were animals – as set forth by God in the book of Leviticus. Specifically Leviticus 1: 1-17. But if anyone wants to know the full-meal-deal on this matter, here's what the Jews themselves have to say (and it's a LOT!): ewishencyclopedia.com/articles/3847-burnt-offering
Don Nolte: The animals that were killed for sacrifices and the bodies were completely consumed by fire.
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TODAY'S QUIZ: What were children who were born of a forbidden union not allowed to do?
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NEWS:
WE ARE CHANGING THE WAY WE EDUCATE OUR KIDS AND GROW THEM IN THE FAITH AT ST.JOHN'S!!
THE TWO MOST IMPORTANT FACTORS TO GROW CHILDREN IN THE FAITH
- Parents must be involved and take ownership of the faith formation of their children. Gone are the days of just dropping your kids off at Sunday school so that "the church" can teach them the faith. I don't know about you, but I learned how to live the faith from my parents the most.
- The church must be a supplement, help, and encouragement to the parents (not the primary source of faith formation).
To help parents in their duties as the primary growers of the faith of their children we are going to start two new programs at St. John's.
1. The first is called Faith5. This is a very simple yet profound thing that families will learn to do together in their own homes each night/day. The basics are very simple. It can be done whenever the family can all get together. The example I'm going to use is right before bed, so the first one to want to go to sleep calls the huddle. The family then gets together in the bedroom of the person who called the huddle, at the kitchen table, or wherever, and they do these five things
1. Share- Each person shares the highs and Lows of the day
2. Read- Bible reading or Story
3. Talk- Application of reading to the day
4. Pray- Pray about the day
5. Blessing- A kiss, a hug, a benediction
Although this sounds simple, we want to get the most out of the very short amount of time we have with our kids. We also always want to be better parents, especially when it comes to the faith upbringing of our kids, so we will have a Faith5 Training for parents beginning on Sunday, April 15 during Sunday school time at 9:45. PLEASE SIGN UP WITH PASTOR FOR THIS TRAINING!!!! It will be done on Sunday, May 27.
2.The second is called Bible Song Cross Gen. It is called this, because every lesson revolves around a Bible song that coincides with the lesson for the week. It will begin on WEDNESDAY, MAY 30 AND WILL BE EVERY WEDNESDAY FROM 6pm-7pm. Parents are strongly encouraged to stay with their children.
Here is the schedule:
6:00-6:20-- Bible Song, Skit, and Story
6:20-6:50—Family Group Time (Practicing Faith5 in a church family setting)
6:50-7- Closing
As with any good church program volunteers are key! We need people to step up and take ownership of this program to make it successful! Here are somethings we will need:
1. Parents stay with kids!!
2. Skit Group (3 or 4) (Sign Up to volunteer to help)
3. Art attack coordinators (2 or 3) (Sign Up with Pastor to volunteer to help)
4. Group Leaders (2 or 3) (Sign Up with Pastor to volunteer to help)
3.What are we gonna do with Sunday school?
For the most part, it is going to go away, but For parents who still want some adult Bible study time, or just want to get out and do grocery shopping without kids, we'll have a very unstructured and informal time on Sunday mornings. (Play time, videos, Bible story book.) Like all the rest of this stuff, it will only be as good as those who take ownership. Right now, Karin Klaustermeier and Naomi Johnson are the only ones who lead your kids on Sunday mornings. It would be good to get two or three more trusted adults to lead this, and then each person would only have to do it once a month. (A big shout out should also go to Torre Statler and Taryn Linke for doing a Bible study with the high school kids when they show up.)
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YOUNG ADULTS GET TOGETHER THURSDAY, MARCH 15 @ 6pm at the HOENIG'S HOUSE!!
Calling all young adults (or adults young at heart)!!
In an attempt to get to know one another a better John & Anna Hoenig will be hosting a dinner Thursday March 15th at 6pm (feel free to come a bit late, if work doesn't allow you to be right on time) at their home: 22040 Sunset Valley Lane Warrenton.
Please RSVP to Anna via Facebook or phone/text at: (636) 359-6615.
A main dish will be provided, please bring a side to share. Kids are welcome (please include ages in RSVP).
There is no formal plans, but we'd like to discuss scheduling regular get togethers (monthly, quarterly, other?) and what kind of events we'd like to have (social outings, rotating dinners at member's homes, potlucks at church?). We look forward to seeing you all soon!
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LENTEN MIDWEEK SUPPER WEDNESDAY at 5:30 AND WORSHIP AT 6:30
Supper- Turkey, Dressing (Stuffing), green beans, applesauce, 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!!
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?
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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 to put a stent in her stomach so she can eat.
For BILL MCKENZIE, (Terry McKenzie's father in law), who is home from the hospital and has been placed on hospice.
For LIL WINTER as she deals with heart troubles.
For ASHTON, a 3 day old baby who is the grandson of a friend of the Nagels who is recovering from open heart surgery.
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.
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