Thursday, March 29, 2012

DEVOTION:   

(Jesus said) "So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets." Matthew 7:12 Many thanks to Frank Kohn, designer and editor at Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod communications for calling this topic to our attention. It is greatly appreciated. "The church is no good and filled with hypocrites." In recent years a lot of folks have been saying things like that. They believe it, too. Maybe that's because they've never heard of Grapevine Faith Christian School. Not so long ago, Grapevine's nine-time state championship team was to play Gainesville State School, a maximum correctional facility for boys 12 to 19. Now I don't want to put those Gainesville boys down. In order to play on the team they have to have served half their sentence, had no nasty incidents and maintain certain academic standards. Still, Gainesville has no cheerleaders, no fans in the stands and none of the bells and whistles that can make a great team even greater. The game should have been a physical and personal massacre for those Gainesville boys. It wasn't. It wasn't because Grapevine's coach, Kris Hogan, saw this as a witness opportunity and not just a football game. That's why he sent letters to all the parents. He asked them to sit on the Gainesville side of the field, so the team would have some fans. Next he ran off a roster of the Gainesville boys, so they would be cheered for as individuals. But the coach wasn't done yet. The Grapevine cheerleaders were divided and half of them rooted for the Gainesville group. Faith beat Gainesville 33 to 14. But when the uniformed police officers led the Gainesville boys back to their bus, each of them was given a burger, fries and Coke, by the players from the Grapevine Faith team. They were also handed a Bible and an encouraging letter written by a Grapevine player. Before everybody went their separate ways, the losing Gainesville coach grabbed Coach Hogan by the shoulders. He looked him in the eye and said, "You'll never know what your people did for these kids tonight. You'll never, ever know." Probably not. But the Lord knows, and now you know. So what is the purpose of this devotion? To praise Coach Hogan? Naw. These Daily Devotions don't do that. We praise the Lord Jesus whose love motivated Coach Hogan to do what he did. And I still wouldn't have told the story if I didn't believe there are hundreds, maybe thousands of Coach Hogans reading this devotion, who need a bit of inspiration to try and do the same kind of thing, when the Lord gives them the opportunity. Don't know if it would work, but it would sure give the critics of Christ and His Church something to think about, wouldn't it? THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, we love because You first loved us. Today we pray that when the Holy Spirit presents us with opportunities to share the joy of Jesus, we may respond with a glad heart. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:    What was Saul's dad's name?  Kish  (Doug Herzog wins: Its quite a back and forth battle.)____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
TODAY'S QUIZ: How long did Saul reign over Israel?
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CATECHISM
Question: How are three divine persons distinguished from each other?
Answer:  The Father has begottne the Son from eternity; the Son is begotten of the Father from eternity; the Holy Spirit from eternity proceeds from the Father and the Son.  To the Father especially is ascribed the work of creation; to the Son, the work of redemption; to the Holy Spirit, the work of sanctification. 
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CHURCH CALENDAR 
Thurs- nothing
Fri- nothing
Sat- worship 5pm
Sun- Bible Study 8; worship 9; worship 11am; (Don't forget that it is April Fool's Day)
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NEWS: 
ALPHA CLASS IS OPEN TO EVERYONE, BOTH MEMBERS AND NONMEMBERS, BOTH THOSE WHO ARE OLD CHRISTIANS AND THOSE WHO HAVE NEVER EVEN HEARD OF JESUS!!!
There are still spots left to sign up for the ALPHA class, but not too many.  It is a class for those who are new to the Bible and Christianity (making it a perfect opportunity for outreach and evangelism.  but it is also good for the seasoned Christian to review and to grow in the faith.  Many of the questions you have alway had but have been afraid to ask will be answered.  Please call Sandy Robine to sign up TODAY!  456-4061. Or email snsrobine@centurytel.net.  It starts Tuesday night April 17!!!
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THE WHOLE CONGREGATION CAN SIGN UP TO HELP TO WORK FOR TORNADO RELIEF IN INDIANA AND KENTUCKY
Go to https://lcc.ccbchurch.com/w_form_response.php?form_id=697 and fill out the form.  A report of your signing up will come directly to my email. 
 
SInce there aren't a whole lot of Sr Hi kids signing up for it, I have decided to open it up to the whole congregation. 
 
The dates we are going are Sunday, July 8- Saturday July 14.  We will leave after church on Sunday and return on Saturday in the erly afternoon. 
 
We will be staying at Camp Lakeview, a Lutheran camp just south of Indianapolis.  Check it out at http://www.camplakeview.com/.
 
If you need any mor einfo before you sign up, you know where I am 636-359-1061. 
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HELP TO FEED HUNGRY KIDS IN WARREN COUNTY WITH OPERATION BACKPACK
In the preschool room there is a box that you can put food in to feed extremely low income children in Warren County.  Many of these kids get fed every day at school for breakfast and lunch, but what about the weekend?  What the food listed below does for many of these children is gets them through the weekend when food is especially scarce. 
 
If you want more information about this program or you want to donate money to this causeyou can call Erin Waters at 359-9219 or email her at erinwaters@centurytel.net.
 
Here is the list of food you can bring
cereal (single serve sizes)
oatmeal (instant packets)
hot chocolate mix
juice boxes
peanut butter
jelly (squeezable bottles)
soup
spaghettios or beefaroni
mac and cheese
corn
green beans
granola bars
fruit snacks
pudding cup
raisin boxes
applesauce cups
fruit cups
cereal bards
pretzels
individually wrapped crackers or cookies
bread
 
 
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LITTLE LAMBS REGISTRATION IS GOING ON RIGHT NOW FOR CURRENTLY ENROLLED FAMILIES AND CHURCH MEMBERS!! 
A nonrefundable enrollment fee of $30 is required.  Open enrollment for the whole community opens April 1. 
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TRAVELING FELLOWSHIP GROUP GOING TO THE AMISH COMMUNITY OF ARTHUR, IL ON APRIL 21.  Cost is $65 per person. 
Sign up sheet in on the counter in the narthex or you can call Marilyn in the office to sign up.  THERE ARE PLENTY OF SPOTS AVAILABLE!!!!!  SIGN UP TODAY!!
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STEWARDSHIP SPOLIGHT FOR THIS MONTH IS LUTHERAN HOUR MINISTRIES
LHM is a Christian outreach ministry supporting churches, missions, and ministry worldwide. The daily devotion above comes from LHM almost every day.  If you wish to donate ot it please make a check out to LHM and put it in a specially designated envelope. 
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BIBLE 101: A NEW ONLINE "INTRODUCTORY" BIBLE STUDY IS AVAILABLE FOR ALL MEMBERS OF ST JOHN'S!!!  

Please call or reply to this email to let me know that you want to sign up for this wonderful opportunity.  I will sign you up!  The congregation has already paid the annual fee so IT IS FREE for you!!! 

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

For PAUL TOEDEBUSCH who will be undergoing more treatments for cancer.

 

For KATHLEEN SHERMAN and her family as her dad passed away after a prolonged illness.

 

For LIBBY PAILER as she recovers at Mercy Rehab and will hopefully be able to go home on Sunday.

 

For DOLORES DEBLAZE as she is awaiting results from a biopsy which she will hopefully receive this morning.  

 

For JEANETTE KOEHLER who is recovering well at the Cedars.

     

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