St. John's Lutheran ChurchWarrenton, MO: St. John's Group Email Wednesday, August 3, 2011

DEVOTION: And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other Name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12

The other day I read an interesting article written by Randy Alcorn.

He shared how, when coming back from the annual Christian book convention, he met an unidentified "high-impact evangelical author." During the course of their conversation that individual said to Mr. Alcorn, "We really have no way of knowing whether Muslims or Buddhists or Hindus will go to heaven when they die." By that remark the famous author was not referring to folks who used to be followers of those faiths. He was speaking about those who have never heard the Holy Spirit's summons to faith.

Next month there is going to be a Baloney Shop dealing with that issue, but for now let me say that those whose beliefs are in agreement with that author are growing.

The laws of political correctness which refuse to judge anybody of anything, the belief all faiths are basically the same, the feeling it doesn't matter what you believe as long as you are sincere -- have all been most successful as they sweep to the side any and all who have a serious Christian commitment to the truth.

So, can we know? Can we be sure who is going to heaven?

We can be sure if we believe the Bible is God's Word. (It is.) If God's Word is inspired and accurately describes His thoughts for humanity (it does) and if those pages contain the divine story of salvation, then we can know beyond any shadow of a doubt who is going to be saved and how that salvation is going to be given.

Are you unsure? Then take a look at what the book of Acts says about Jesus. First, it tells us salvation comes only through faith in Jesus. Then it tells us the Redeemer's Name is the only one that saves.

Of course, you have to believe the Bible is God's Word.

I do. So do you. And so does your pastor.

This takes me to the point: that there are churches out there that leave you unsure and doubtful. There are congregations that hear sermons elevating Jesus' humanity and minimizing His divinity.

Yours is probably not one of those churches. Over my almost ten years of wandering as The Lutheran Hour Speaker, I heard people say their pastor preached too long, or was boring, or used words too big, but I never heard anybody say their pastor doesn't believe -- or preach -- the Word of God.

This ought to make us feel good. I know the Lord appreciates it. He is always gladdened when His redeemed people remember the sacrifice Jesus made so we might be forgiven of our sins and brought into the family of faith.

So if you have a pastor who still preaches the Word like he believes it has the words of eternal life, then give thanks.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, how sad it is that many people don't know how to be saved and who is going to be doing the saving. Send Your Holy Spirit upon them so their eyes and hearts may be opened to the Bethlehem manger, Calvary's cross and Resurrection Sunday's empty tomb. May doubters and deniers eventually be brought to faith in Jesus, the only Savior who can save. In His Name. Amen.
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CATECHISM: You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.
Question: When are we permitted, and even required, to swear by God's name?
Answer: When an oath is necessary for the glory of God or the welfare of our neighbor. Examples include the following: testimony in court, oath of office, wedding vows.
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: Who was Hilkiah?

He is first mentioned in 2 Kings 22. He was serving as the High Priest under King Josiah. Hilkiah's name meant "Jehovah is my spirit." He is forever known as the man in the Old Testament who gave people, God's Book! (2 Ki 22:10). At this time in history, the Book of God had vanished. People knew about its teachings but they had never seen it or read from it.

Thanks again to Doug Herzog

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TODAY'S QUIZ: How long was Josiah king?

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CHURCH CALENDAR

Wed- Red Cross Shelter Workshop 6-9pm

Thurs- Jonesburg Nursing Home worship 10:30am; Red Cross Blood Drive 3-7pm; visitation for John Howard family at Stygar 5-8pm

Fri- Private funeral 10am

Sat- worship 5pm
Sun- Bible study 8am; worship 9am; Bible study 10:30
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NEWS:

VISITIATION AND FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR JOHN HOWARD

Public Visitation will be on Thursday from 5-8pm at Stygar funeral home on Mid Rivers in St Peter's. Private Funeral (family only) will be on Friday at 10am at St. John's.

Memorials may be made to St John's General Fund.

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WE NEED PROJECTOR HELP!!! Please sign up!!

Projector Schedule August-November

August

6- mckenzie

13-

14- McDowell

20-

21- Panhorst

27-

28-

September

3- mckenzie

4- Panhorst

10-

11-

17-

18-

24-

25- mckenzie

October

1- mckenzie

2- Panhorst

15-

16-

22- mckenzie

23-

29- mckenzie

30-

November

5- mckenzie

12-

13-

19-

20-

23- (Thanksgiving Eve) mckenzie

24- (Thanksgiving Day)

26-

27-

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UPDATE ON GOLF OUTING

Coming to the home stretch, I show 32 golfers who have signed up to play, and another 12 "players to be named later" - in other words, a team member or family group indicated they will bring enough other players to round out their team of 4 - but I don't have names or confirmation yet. Only 19 players have sent in their entry fee.

I have contacted most of those groups and asked for confirmation and names by next Monday August 8 so I can start to see where there are team "holes" to pair-up individuals and to finalize things with the golf course. If you know anyone who said they will play or bring others but has not signed them up, please have them e-mail me as soon as possible.

We also have 20 Hole Sponsors paid and I have passed the order to John Meier of SignDesigns to make up the signs. If any more Hole Sponsors come in this week (some others were invited but never responded or paid) I can't promise they'll get done in time, so probably best not to push any more at this point.

So, to summarize, 32 players (19 paid) with 12 more "probable" but I need names! 20 hole sponsors paid and sign order is at the printer.
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HELP NEEDED WITH THE BLOOD DRIVE

Denise Schlesselman needs people to call prospective and past blood donors who are on a call list to ask them to make appointments for the blood drive next week. You won't be makng the appointments, but only asking them to call to make appointments and letting them know about it. It only takes a few minutes. If you can do it email Denise at bookanddoglover@yahoo.com.

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HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH NEWS AND NOTES

We had a meeting Sunday night and talked about the purpose of the group which is to

1. Make disciples of all nations.

2. Proclaim the forgiveness of sins.

3. be Christ's ambassadors.

4. always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you about the hope that you have.

We will be gathering together on a monthly basis on the last Sunday of the month (Just the kids), to gather around God's Word and to do these four things in various ways through service, fellowship, and fun.

We also talked about possible servant events for next summer. Possibilities include an Indian Reservation up north to do VBS, Lutherhaven Camp in Idaho, Poland, and a few others. No decision has been made.

The one request from Mrs. Mauch and me is just to be regular in your participation! Go to Sunday school as often as you can. Participate in group activities. Be there for our monthly gatherings.

A more specific letter will be mailed out to all high school kids and parents shortly.

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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.

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PRAYERS: (If I have missed anyone please let me know.)
For MOLLY HENDERSHOT who is back at home, but will have to make a lot of trips to the hospital for infusions for the next few weeks.

For the HOWARD FAMILY at the death of their 15 month old son John.

For MICHELLE WOOLF as she is doing much better and won't have to have radiation treatment (at least for the time being).

For PEGGY GILKEY who is having knee replacement surgery on the 18th

For JONAS BORCHERT, grandson of Don Nolte, who is doing a lot better.

For EVELYN SHERMAN at Cedar Crest Rehab and Nursing in Washington for rehab on her hip.

For LIL WINTER'S GRANDDAUGHTER AND UNBORN GREAT GRANDDAUGHTER as they are experiencing trouble during pregnancy and as the baby will probably be born two months early.

For LIL WINTER who is struggling to regain strength in her knee.

For RUTH CANTRELL who is at home and STILL recovering very slowly.

OUR CHURCH as we continue the CARE PROCESS.

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St. John's Lutheran Church
Warrenton, MO

St. John's Group Email Wednesday, August 3, 2011

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