A number of years ago, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum decided to make Dubai into a mecca for tourism.
Just one of his projects was the creation of some man-made islands -- islands which were to be filled with homes, apartments and resort hotels: the best homes, apartments and resort hotels money could buy.
Well, one of those islands, Palm Island, is complete. Folks who have bought houses there have paid premium prices for these homes, which have and are the best of the best.
Some of the cheaper shacks on the island started selling at $1.5 million, and $10 million would have put a person into a pretty cushy home. Of course, that was when the places started selling. Since then inflation has set in and the costs have gone up considerably.
Now you might imagine the owners would be completely content in their modern-day Eden. If you imagined that you were wrong. That's because the island has had a problem -- a plumbing problem. This problem began when one of the water pipes began to leak. One leaky pipe led to others, and soon the homeowners found not a single sink, shower or toilet would work.
It was a problem which went on for days. At least one person has said, "It doesn't make much difference how much you pay for your home, if you don't have water, the place is worthless."
Jesus said much the same thing to the Samaritan woman at the well.
Speaking to humankind's spiritual thirst, Jesus said He was the water that would completely and eternally satisfy.
And what is this spiritual thirst? It is everyman's heartfelt desire to have his sins removed; it is a hope to find peace; it is a longing to know that when his life is over, there will be hope and heaven awaiting him -- not despair and damnation.
So that we might have that spiritual thirst quenched, Jesus entered this world. To that end, He lived a perfect life, resisted all temptations and carried our sins with Him to the cross. Then, by virtue of His resurrection from the dead, He showed that not even death could rob us of the living water, which Holy Spirit-given faith in Him provides.
No, it doesn't make much difference how much you have or what you own, without Jesus life is an unending, unmet thirst.
With Him, with His living water, there is spiritual satisfaction and salvation for the soul.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, for all the earthly blessings You have given me -- gifts I often take for granted -- I wish here and now to show my appreciation. Even as I do so, I recognize these things are unimportant without the Savior. That You have sent Him and placed faith within me is the most precious blessing of all. In Jesus' Name, I give thanks. Amen.
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: What country was Nebuchadnezzar the king of? Babylon
Doug Herzog beat Sandy Robine by one minute yesterday and Diane Hance was only five minutes behind her. Let's see what happens today. )
Sun- Bible study 8am; worship 9am; Bible study 10:30; Youth Group meet at 10:15 at church to clean up highway; fellowship meeting at Schirrs 7pm
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NEWS:
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.
20- Mauch
21- Panhorst
27- Perricone
28- Sweet
September
3- mckenzie
4- Panhorst
10- Perricone
11- Schaumberg
17- Perricone
18- Heitgerd
24- Mauch
25- mckenzie
October
1- mckenzie
2- Panhorst
8-
9- Winn
15-
16- Heitgerd
22- mckenzie
23- Schaumberg
29- mckenzie
30-
November
5- mckenzie
6-PEPER
12-
13-PEPER
19-
20-PEPER
23- (Thanksgiving Eve) mckenzie
24- (Thanksgiving Day)
26-
27-
For PAUL TOEDEBUSCH who is awaiting test results on a biopsy.
OUR CHURCH as we continue the CARE PROCESS.
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