DEVOTION: (Jesus said) "But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for My Name's sake. This will be your opportunity to bear witness. Settle it therefore in your minds not to meditate beforehand how to answer, for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict." Luke 21:12-15
"He's making a list, checking it twice, going to find out who's ..."
Did you fill it in correctly? Of course, you did. You know the end of the lyric reads, "going to find out who's naughty or nice."
Of course, most people think the "he" in that song is Santa. Not anymore. Santa has been moved to the side, and the people making the good-bad decision are the atheists. It's true. This Christmas season, in select communities, billboards are going up which read "Bias Against Atheists is Naughty, Not Nice."
Excuse me? Did I miss something here?
Let's see, how many Christians have taken atheists to court this year because they didn't display a cross or because they didn't say a prayer or because they didn't put up a crèche set or because they didn't say "Merry Christmas"? Do you want me to go on? I can. The courts are filled with atheists, who are trying to rewrite our nation, our history, our traditions ... who are trying to eliminate all public worship of the Savior.
I don't think we're the biased ones here.
And if Christians fight back, if they take a stand, well, the word is out: we're being naughty, not nice.
I guess we shouldn't be surprised.
Jesus said it would happen. He said naughty folks would lay their hands on us, that they would deliver us to the people in authority.
He also said those were the moments we should bear witness. Even more, He told us He would be with us, giving us that which needed to be said -- giving us a witness that wouldn't be liked, but which would be incontrovertible.
For example, one such word of witness you could give might be this: The Lord Jesus grant you a blessed Christmas.
Then leave it up to the listener to decide whether the sentence is naughty or nice.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, shortly after You were born, King Herod said You were naughty, not nice. He tried to have You murdered. This Christmas there are those who think the same way and they would have You banished. In such a world may we proudly proclaim the grace of God who was born in Bethlehem to die, so we might live. This I ask in Your Name. Amen.
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"He's making a list, checking it twice, going to find out who's ..."
Did you fill it in correctly? Of course, you did. You know the end of the lyric reads, "going to find out who's naughty or nice."
Of course, most people think the "he" in that song is Santa. Not anymore. Santa has been moved to the side, and the people making the good-bad decision are the atheists. It's true. This Christmas season, in select communities, billboards are going up which read "Bias Against Atheists is Naughty, Not Nice."
Excuse me? Did I miss something here?
Let's see, how many Christians have taken atheists to court this year because they didn't display a cross or because they didn't say a prayer or because they didn't put up a crèche set or because they didn't say "Merry Christmas"? Do you want me to go on? I can. The courts are filled with atheists, who are trying to rewrite our nation, our history, our traditions ... who are trying to eliminate all public worship of the Savior.
I don't think we're the biased ones here.
And if Christians fight back, if they take a stand, well, the word is out: we're being naughty, not nice.
I guess we shouldn't be surprised.
Jesus said it would happen. He said naughty folks would lay their hands on us, that they would deliver us to the people in authority.
He also said those were the moments we should bear witness. Even more, He told us He would be with us, giving us that which needed to be said -- giving us a witness that wouldn't be liked, but which would be incontrovertible.
For example, one such word of witness you could give might be this: The Lord Jesus grant you a blessed Christmas.
Then leave it up to the listener to decide whether the sentence is naughty or nice.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, shortly after You were born, King Herod said You were naughty, not nice. He tried to have You murdered. This Christmas there are those who think the same way and they would have You banished. In such a world may we proudly proclaim the grace of God who was born in Bethlehem to die, so we might live. This I ask in Your Name. Amen.
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: According to Romans 10:17, how does faith come? Faith comes from hearing the message and the message is heard through the Word of Christ.
YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: According to Romans 10:17, how does faith come? Faith comes from hearing the message and the message is heard through the Word of Christ.
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TODAY'S QUIZ: Who was Felix?
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CATECHISM:
6th commandment: You shall not commit adultery
Question: How do we lead a sexually pure and decent life?
Answer: We lead a sexually pure and decent life when we
a. consider sexuality to be a good gift of God;
b. honor marriage as God's institution, the lifelong union of one man and one woman;
c. reserve sexual intercourse for the marriage partner alone;
d. control sexual urges in a God pleasing way.
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CHURCH CALENDAR
Mon- Whispering Pines worship 10am; Confirmation test and part 5-6:15
Tues- Quilters 9-2; Bible study 11:30-12:15; Little Lambs Christmas Program 7pm
Wed- Ladies Aid Luncheon noon; Supper 5:30; Bells 6; worship 7; choir 7:30
Thurs- nothing scheduled
Fri- nothng scheduled
Sat- 9:30-11 Children's program practice; worship 5pm
Sun- Bible study 8; worship 9; Sunday school and Bible study 10:15
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NEWS:
NEWS:
WORKERS NEEDED IN JOPLIN
Immanuel Lutheran Church in in Joplin is taking workers to help with construction.
YOU CAN GO ON YOUR OWN IF YOU WANT or, I'd love to take a group for a couple days in January and/or February to work on some houses.
Trent Davis, Immanuel's director of disaster response sent the following:
"The Lord has blessed us with the ability to get five decent sized projects under roof before the weather has gotten too ugly here, however we have only a few teams committed from Dec-Feb. We need additional teams.
All help will be greatly appreciated. Types of skills we are looking for include: electricians, plumbers, HVAC, drywall, painters and interior trim.
Not everyone on a team needs to be skilled but we need enough skilled folks to give direction to the willing. Thanks and Blessings!"
Contact information for Trent is:
Director of Disaster Response Trent Davis
Immanuel Lutheran Church – LCMS; 2616 Connecticut Ave; Joplin, MO 64804;
417.624.0333 | fax: 417.624.2774;
If anyone wants to go with me for a few days let me know asap and I will set it up. I'm pretty sure that all we'd really have to pay for is food.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
YOU CAN GO ON YOUR OWN IF YOU WANT or, I'd love to take a group for a couple days in January and/or February to work on some houses.
Trent Davis, Immanuel's director of disaster response sent the following:
"The Lord has blessed us with the ability to get five decent sized projects under roof before the weather has gotten too ugly here, however we have only a few teams committed from Dec-Feb. We need additional teams.
All help will be greatly appreciated. Types of skills we are looking for include: electricians, plumbers, HVAC, drywall, painters and interior trim.
Not everyone on a team needs to be skilled but we need enough skilled folks to give direction to the willing. Thanks and Blessings!"
Contact information for Trent is:
Director of Disaster Response Trent Davis
Immanuel Lutheran Church – LCMS; 2616 Connecticut Ave; Joplin, MO 64804;
417.624.0333 | fax: 417.624.2774;
If anyone wants to go with me for a few days let me know asap and I will set it up. I'm pretty sure that all we'd really have to pay for is food.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
YOUTH GROUP STEAK DINNER AND AUCTION
***SAVE THE DATE*** The date of the Youth Group Steak Dinner and Auction has been set for Saturday, February 11, 2012. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. and dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. Please join us for a night of fun and fundraising. We will be having the old favorites: silent auction and 50/50 drawing as well as the new favorites: live auction, dessert dash, wine raffle, and the WILD HEARTS JACKPOT DRAWING where there is a chance to win $500.00.
Tickets for the WILD HEARTS $500 DRAWING are on sale now. Please ask a youth group member to get yours. The tickets are 1 for $10 but for an additional $10 you can get 10 more tickets and have 11 chances at winning!
The youth will begin selling dinner/auction tickets at the beginning of January in the narthex after services. Tickets are $15 per person. Bid only tickets are $5.00. You may also contact Marilyn to reserve tickets.
In order to guarantee that you get to sit with a special group of family or friends, you may want to consider purchasing a table of 8 for $120._______________________________________________
THIS WEDNESDAY, DEC 14 is our last Midweek Advent dinner and worship.
If your elder is Tim Linke, Rich Talbert, or Steve Robine 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 ahead.
We will be having a special interview with JACOB as part of our worship at 7pm!
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
GIVING TREE GIFTS ARE DUE BACK !!!
They will be distributed this week so please get them in pronto!
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
BUY A POINSETTIA FOR THE ALTAR FOR 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.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SUNDAY SCHOOL PROGRAM PRACTICE AGAIN THIS COMING SATURDAY 9:30-11am!!
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PRAYERS: (If I have missed anyone please let me know.)
For KEN SUTOR, Lisa Rausch's dad, who is hospitalized with kidney and heart troubles and is also dealing with dementia.
For the POWELL FAMILY, friends of the Vossens, as they lost their seven year old daughter in a car accident last week and as she is being laid to rest today.
For EMMA, seven year old granddaughter of Terry and Lynn Russell, and great granddaughter of Elaine Schauer, who has an unidentified growth near her abdomen.
For the FAMILY OF BILL SAGER, former member of St. John's who moved to Oklahoma about five years ago, as he passed away Sunday night after a stroke and who is being laid tor rest today.
For EARL AND PAT EHLMANN, former members of St. Johns, as Earl's father passed away at age 101.
For THE FAMILY OF RUTH CANTRELL as they mourn her passing from death to eternal life.
For the FAMILY OF LEONARD BASS as he passed away to Wednesdays ago and his funeral was last Friday.
For CHERYL HAZEL who is Lil Winter's, daughter in-law's cousin. She has Stage 4 bone cancer.
For BONNIE FRENZIA who is doing much better at home.
For RICH (son of Burket Fickle - she works for Dr. Brady DDS here in Warrenton). He has been, and is, very sick and keeps running high fevers and they don't seem to find out what is causing his illness.
For KEN WAGNER who is at St. Joes in St Charles, and is going through physical therapy after a fractured vertebrae in his neck.
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.
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