The other day a pastor gave me hail. You know the icy stuff that falls from the sky.
Well, actually, he didn't give me hail; he sent me a picture of hail. This particular hail was about the size of a softball. It's the kind of hail you would be wise to avoid. But this hail was notable for more than its size. This hail had nasty looking icy spikes growing out of it. For all the world it looked like the end of a medieval mace.
As part of his e-mail, the good reverend asked, "What's next?"
It was a good question.
In the Pacific, earthquakes and related tsunami warnings have become regular occurrences. Industrial Japan has seen its economy knocked about by an earthquake and a close call with a few nuclear reactors.
In Europe airlines are sending their planes by different routes because of volcanic ash.
What's next?
Just about everywhere I've gone this spring and summer, people have been asking the question, "What's next?"
In some places, Iowa corn, which is often shoulder high by the Fourth of July, is now on its third replanting. There are rivers flooding which normally would be dry, and places which have always been green through the summer have been burnt to a crisp.
Half of Joplin, Missouri, is missing; Minot, North Dakota, is under water, and St. Louis has set a record for tornado warnings.
What's next? I don't know.
I do know the Lord is still there. I know He who gave His Son as the ransom price for our soul's salvation is still there. He's still watching out for us. He's still by our side.
What's next? I don't know ... but Isaiah had an inkling. This is what the prophet wrote in the 43rd chapter:
But now thus says the Lord, He who created you, O Jacob, He who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. ... Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you. I will say to the north, Give up, and to the south, Do not withhold; bring My sons from afar and My daughters from the end of the earth, everyone who is called by My Name, whom I created for My glory, whom I formed and made.
What's next -- possibly troubles but most certainly there will always be the presence and comfort of our caring God of grace.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, we pray that You will bring seasonable weather upon the nations of the world. Be with those who make their living by the soil and upon the sea. Grant them a suitable harvest reflective of their hands' labor. Lord, we don't know what is going to come, but we pray we may recognize Your presence, care and support in whatever may happen. This we pray in our Savior's Name. Amen.
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CATECHISM: You shall have no other gods.
Question: What does God forbid in the first commandment?
Answer: He forbids us to have other gods (idolatry).
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: Where is Tekoa?
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TODAY'S QUIZ: In what year did Isaiah recieve his message (prophecy) from God?
M-F VBS, "Welcome to Holywood" Supper: 5:30; Festivities 6-8pm
Sun- Bible study 8am; worship 9am; Bible study 10:30
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NEWS:
It's Time to start thinking about our MEN'S RETREAT!!
The ninth annual T-3 Men's Retreat is set for Friday-Sunday, September 23-25, 2011. This promises to be another great experience for the men of St John's and other Lutheran congregations in the St. Charles area. In fact, men from all over the metro area have joined this special time in the past. Men 18 years of age or older are eligible and they need not be Lutheran to attend. The retreat will be held at Mark Twain State Park at the Si Coburn Group Camp. This is a beautiful setting for a weekend of adventure and growth. The theme of this year's retreat is "Respectable Sins" and the study times during the retreat will be spent exploring the areas of our lives where we have come to accept less than God might want from us.
The retreat will feature great food and a lot of activities A scramble golf tournament, fishing tournament, trap and skeet shooting competition, and euchre tournament all take place on Saturday morning. If none of these interest you, you may choose to spend time reading, hiking , biking, site seeing, or napping. Prizes are awarded to tournament winners at dinner on Saturday evening. Campfires on Friday and Saturday nights provide the opportunity to get to know others better under the stars. Music is a big part of the camp experience and you will enjoy hearing and singing familiar songs with the 100+ men who typically attend. The culminating worship service on Sunday morning is a special time of praising God for all His gifts to us and a great way to prepare us to return to our homes and lives.
The cost of the retreat is only $42 and this includes meals and a commemorative tee-shirt. Attendees have the option of staying in group cabins or tent camping on the grounds at no additional charge. You can even arrange to stay in a local motel near the camp at reduced rates if you like.
A brochure with all information and a registration form will be available soon in the narthex. You can also register online at www.t3mensretreat.org using PayPal. It is really easy and you can see pictures of the camp and facilities there, too.
This is the year for you to go to the T-3 (trap-tackle-tees) Retreat. Sign up, meet new friends, bring old friends, and join in the fun of growing your faith. For more information, contact Don Hugo at Zion –636 441-7425 ext 246 or home 636 441-9954.
"Kid friendly" meals will be provided from 5:30-6:00,festivities begin at 6pm, and end around 8:15pm.
Kids will explore a few of the many miracles of Jesus by becoming "stars" in the stories.
Please call the church office to sign with an agent (register) today so that we have a decent idea of how many kids we will have.
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SECOND ANNUAL CAMPING/FLOAT TRIP COMING UP July 22-24
Four full hook up campsites are reserved at Onandaga Cave State Park. Cost is $54.50 for a site for the two days.
Saturday will be on your own: Please check your newsletter for all of the fun stuff there is to do.
Sunday the floating group will leave from Ozark Outdoors at 10am to do a five mile float which should take 3-5 hours. Cost to float in a canoe is $17.50 per person with two people per canoe. Rafts are $22 a person and tubes are $20.
Again, check the info in the newsletter for more info or call Teresa Scott at 359-0274 or email her at tscott@usmo.com.
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OUR THIRD ANNUAL GOLF SOCIAL IS COMING UP SATURDAY, AUGUST 13!
Registration: 7am
Shotgun start: 8am
Details: 4 person scramble format, cash prizes per flight and special hole contest, Burgers and brats for lunch
Cost: $50 per person includes round of golf, cart, lunch, and attendance gift. Hole sponsorship is $50 with proceeds going to Little Lambs. There will be 50/50 tickets, mulligans and other incentives available for purchase as part of the fundraising portion of the event as well.
Registration forms and sign up sheet are on the table in the narthex. You can call Alan Hofeldt at 456-3070 for more info or to sponsor a hole.
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PRAYERS: (If I have missed anyone please let me know.)
For RUTH CANTRELL who was supposed to go home today, but contracted a fever whose source is yet to be identified.
For EMOGENE FRIANT, a good friend of Marv and Molly who is experiencing problems with peritoneal dialysis.
For LIL WINTER who is struggling to regain strength in her knee.
OUR CHURCH as we continue the CARE PROCESS.
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