St. John's Group Email Monday, Nov 28, 2011

DEVOTION:  For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given ... Isaiah 9:6a


Financially, for many people 2011 has not been a great year.

Still, there are always those who manage to do well. If you happen to be one of those, you may want to start putting your Christmas list together. If so, there is no better place to begin than the 2011 Christmas Book of Neiman Marcus.

They do have some interesting gifts. For example, you can get a yurt.

Yes, a yurt.

For those of you who don't know (and I was one), a yurt is a nomadic tent from Mongolia. Of course, this yurt is a cut above most. It is18 feet in diameter, hand-painted, packed chock full of one-of-a-kind, down-filled pillows. Oh, I shouldn't forget; this yurt has a crystal chandelier.

Perhaps, a yurt isn't exactly what you've been hoping for. If so, Neiman Marcus has other ideas.

For example, you could pick up a $125,000 library. This library has great carpets, artful bric-a-brac and paintings. Oh, it also has books, 250 books of your choice.

Still not enough? How about a flower show or a series of flower shows? For only $420,000 you and nine of your friends can be flown by private jet to the tulip festival in Switzerland and the Kifissia flower show in Athens and the Altera rose festival in Avignon. Of course, you won't want to miss the Chelsea flower show in London. That's included, too.

Well, has Neiman Marcus listed the gift that will make you say, "Oh, just what I wanted!"?

Perhaps not.

If that is the case, I would like to point out that Jesus, God's Gift to sinful humanity, was not universally wanted or appreciated when He came to earth.

Herod was the first to try and end the Savior's life. Herod was the first, but he certainly wasn't the only. The people of Nazareth didn't like what Jesus had to say, and they tried to eliminate their most famous Son. The Pharisees were always trying to hatch a plot to take out the Christ, as did the chief priests and the scribes.

Not a very good reaction to God's good Gift, was it? I pray your reaction is different. You see in Jesus we have been given both forgiveness and salvation. This, of course, makes Jesus the perfect Gift which everybody needs.

Only through His life, His sacrifice, His death and resurrection are we saved and heaven becomes a reality. By God's grace this Christmas may our repentant hearts say, "Oh, just what I wanted!"

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, the world is filled with stuff I'm supposed to want: things which are supposed to make me feel good. I give thanks that You have -- in Jesus -- given me the Gift I need. In Him may I feel good, as well as saved. This I pray in my Savior's Name. Amen. 
 

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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:     Who were the "Synagogue of the Freedmen?Jews of Cyrene and Alezandria as well as the prvinces of Cilicia and Asia.  (These were guys who hated Christianity because it was effecting their way of life.

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TODAy'S QUIZ:  Who was Timothy?

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CATECHISM: 

4th commandment: Honor your father and mother.

Question: What does God require of us in the fourth commandment?

Answer:

a. to honor our parents and other authorities by regarding them as God's representatives;

b. to serve our parents and other authorities by gladly providing what they need or require;

c. to obey our parents and othe rauthorities in everything in which God has placed them over us;

d. to love and cherish our parents and other authorities as precious gifts of God.

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CHURCH CALENDAR

Mon- confirmation 5:00- 6:15

Tues- Quilters 9am; Bible study 11:30-12:15

Wed-  midweek Advent supper 5:30; bells 6; worship 7; choir 7:45

Thurs- Ruth Cantrel visitation 9-11; funeral 11; luncheon to follow

Fri- Jonesburg Nursing Home worship 10:30

Sat- Branson trip leaves 7am; Sunday school Christmas program practice 9:11am; worship 5pm

Sun- Bible study 8; worship 9; 4-7 grade choir practice 4pm; instrumentalist practice 5pm; group returns from Branson 7:30pm

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NEWS: 

RUTH CANTRELL VISITATION AND FUNERAL AT St. JOHN'S IS THURSDAY

visitation- 9-11

funeral- 11

luncehon following the funeral

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WE HAD A GREAT GROUP OF PEOPLE OF ALL AGES HELP DECORATE THE CHURCH YESTERDAY! 

Decorating was done in record time.  It only took an hour!  Thanks to all who helped including so many of our kids!

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THIS WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 30 is the first Midweek Advent dinner and worship. 

 If your elder is John Hachtel, Don Turnure, or Dave Tinnin you are responsible for bringing a side dish, and a salad or dessert for our first dinner.  Your elder will be calling you in the days and weeks ahead. 

 

We will be having a special interview with Eve as part of our worship at 7pm!

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GIVING TREE IS UP!!

Please pick an ornament or two off of the tree.  Keep the red ornament for your yourself and sign your name on the corresponding white ornament.  Do not feel as though you have to get everything ont he list.  Just use common sense.  Bring gifts back to church by Dec. 11. 

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BUY A POINSETTIA FOR THE ALTAR CHRISTMAS IN MEMORY OF OR IN HONOR OF SOMEONE!!

Please sign the sheet in the narthex by Wednesday, Deember 14.  They are $12.50 each. 

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A MOMENT OF GRACE FLORIST IS DONATING 10% oF EACH ST. JOHN'S MEMBER'S SALE BACK TO THE CHURCH

Each time you purchase flowers and other gifts from A MOMENT OF GRACE and tell them you are a member at St. John's, the church receives a tithe from them.   A Moment of Grace is located at 511 N Hwy 47 and the phone number is 456-9334.

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SUNDAY SCHOOL PROGRAM PRACTICE THIS SATURDAY 9-11am!! 

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4-7 GRADE CHOIR PRACTICE iS SUNDAY at 4pm

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KID'S INSTRUMENTALIST PRACTICE is SUNDAY at 5pm!!

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PRAYERS: (If I have missed anyone please let me know.)

For THE FAMILY OF RUTH CANTRELL as they mourn her passing from death to eternal life.

 

For JERRY PEZOLD who is recovering after an emergency apendectomy

 

For BONNIE FRENZIA who is hospitalized with complications due to pain medication and also has a bit of pneumonia.  

 

For KEN WAGNER who is remains hospitalized at St. Joes in St Charles, and is going through physical therapy after a fractured vertebrae in his neck.

 

For BILL SAGER former member of St. Johns who is recovering from a stroke.

 

For JANICE MCKENZIE who is having trouble w/ breathing and is undergoing tests.

 

For ED KOHRS who is at Delmar Gardens in Chesterfield

  

For Robyn McNew's cousin MARY KUTRIP who is dealing with terminal cancer and has quit doing treatments for it. 

 

For JONAS BORCHERT, grandson of Don Nolte, who continues to be up and down because of chemotherapy treatments.