DEVOTION: Jesus said) "Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." Matthew 11:28-29
The topic for today's devotion was suggested by Mr. Ian Adnams, consultant and information specialist for the Lutheran Church-Canada.
The countdown to Christmas has begun.
It is an exciting thing to see those dates being checked off our calendars, thrilling to watch the enthusiasm of our children and grandchildren as the special day of Jesus' birth comes closer.
With more than 25 years in the parish, I can remember one of my great frustrations was driving around town and seeing so many of my members remembering to celebrate Christmas -- but forgetting to worship the Christ.
By that I mean that while these folks had put up their trees, decorated their homes, attended a plethora of parties and had sent out Christmas cards by the bushel, I never saw them in church. If I managed to catch them and talk to them about their absence, the excuse they gave was almost always the same. They said something like, "Pastor, I'm just so busy! I'm at my wits' end. I'm certain I'll never get done all the things I simply have to do. I'm sure the Lord understands and will forgive me."
Yup, that's what they said.
And me? I tried to encourage them to come to worship.
Still, I wish I had the recent study which was made by Yeshiva University in Manhattan, New York. They visited with over 92,000 women over the age of 50. What they found was most revealing. They discovered that those folks who went to church faithfully were less likely to be depressed and more likely to be optimistic about life.
Now Christians have always known that's the way it is. When you know Jesus as your Savior, when you are forgiven of your sins and adopted into the family of faith, you have a different outlook; you have a Savior who gives rest to those who labor and are heavy laden.
That's exactly the kind of thing those over-rushed followers of the Savior needed. They didn't need God to understand or forgive their ignoring Him, they needed to have God grant them peace and a perspective that allowed them to worship their Lord.
So if the Christmas rush has run you ragged, I pray you will take time to visit with the Savior and you will see the same Christ who was born to save you from your sins is also the Lord who gives the weary rest.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, right now many of us are holding on to a long list of things that simply "must be done." May that list include that which is really important: worshipping the Savior who is born so we might have have rest and salvation. In our Savior's Name we pray it. Amen.
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The topic for today's devotion was suggested by Mr. Ian Adnams, consultant and information specialist for the Lutheran Church-Canada.
The countdown to Christmas has begun.
It is an exciting thing to see those dates being checked off our calendars, thrilling to watch the enthusiasm of our children and grandchildren as the special day of Jesus' birth comes closer.
With more than 25 years in the parish, I can remember one of my great frustrations was driving around town and seeing so many of my members remembering to celebrate Christmas -- but forgetting to worship the Christ.
By that I mean that while these folks had put up their trees, decorated their homes, attended a plethora of parties and had sent out Christmas cards by the bushel, I never saw them in church. If I managed to catch them and talk to them about their absence, the excuse they gave was almost always the same. They said something like, "Pastor, I'm just so busy! I'm at my wits' end. I'm certain I'll never get done all the things I simply have to do. I'm sure the Lord understands and will forgive me."
Yup, that's what they said.
And me? I tried to encourage them to come to worship.
Still, I wish I had the recent study which was made by Yeshiva University in Manhattan, New York. They visited with over 92,000 women over the age of 50. What they found was most revealing. They discovered that those folks who went to church faithfully were less likely to be depressed and more likely to be optimistic about life.
Now Christians have always known that's the way it is. When you know Jesus as your Savior, when you are forgiven of your sins and adopted into the family of faith, you have a different outlook; you have a Savior who gives rest to those who labor and are heavy laden.
That's exactly the kind of thing those over-rushed followers of the Savior needed. They didn't need God to understand or forgive their ignoring Him, they needed to have God grant them peace and a perspective that allowed them to worship their Lord.
So if the Christmas rush has run you ragged, I pray you will take time to visit with the Savior and you will see the same Christ who was born to save you from your sins is also the Lord who gives the weary rest.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, right now many of us are holding on to a long list of things that simply "must be done." May that list include that which is really important: worshipping the Savior who is born so we might have have rest and salvation. In our Savior's Name we pray it. Amen.
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: What does the phrase "Abba Father" mean? It is a term of endearment, kind of like calling your father daddy. It is also somewhat of giving approval to God.
YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: What does the phrase "Abba Father" mean? It is a term of endearment, kind of like calling your father daddy. It is also somewhat of giving approval to God.
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TODAY'S QUIZ: According to Romans 10:17, how does faith come?
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CATECHISM:
6th commandment: You shall not commit adultery
Question: What does this mean?
Answer:
We should fear and love God so that we lead a sexually pure and decent life in what we say and do, and husband and wife love and honor each other.
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CHURCH CALENDAR
Thurs- nothing scheduled
Fri- Bible study at Hendershot's 7pm
Sat- 9-11 Children's program practice; 3rd-7th grade singers - 9:00; 7th & 8th grade instrumentalists - 10:00; worship 5pm; youth group Christmas party 6:30
Sun- Bible study 8; worship 9; Sunday school and Bible study 10:15
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NEWS:
NEWS:
DON'T FORGET TO START WORKING ON YOUR PRAYER AND CARE JOURNALS.
If you weren't in church yesterday come next Sunday to see what that means.
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NEXT 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!
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GIVING TREE GIFTS ARE DUE BACK THIS SUNDAY, Dec. 11!!!
They will be distributed next week so please get them in pronto!
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HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH CHRISTMAS PARTY AT THE SCOTT'S this Saturday at 6:30pm
Hey high school kids, please come to Gary and Teresa Scott's house with a white elephant (funny joke gift) to share and to enjoy some good food, fun, and fellowship.
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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.
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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 AGAIN THIS COMING SATURDAY 9-11am!!
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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.
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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