DEVOTION:
Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. ... How shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will. Hebrews 2:1, 3-4
Moored at Hokkaido, Japan, the 164-foot Japanese ship, the Ryou-Un Maru, was destined to be cut up and sent to the scrap heap.
That's when fate intervened in the form of last year's tsunami.
The violence of the waves broke the ship free of its moorings and sent her adrift. She has been adrift on an ever-so-slow voyage across the Pacific ever since. For those of you who are wondering what ever-so-slow means, in this case, in recent weeks, it means the ship has been moving forward at the rate of a mile a day.
Of course, a drifting ship is not a good thing. When a drifting ship sneaks into the crowded sea lanes, there is always the danger of collision. If the drifter goes aground and breaks up, there is an oil spill to contend with. Nobody knew how much diesel fuel was still left on the Ryuo-Un Maru, but her tanks could hold up to 2,000 gallons of the black stuff. That could be a mess.
All of this explains why a U.S. Coast Guard cutter put an end to the ship's drifting. At first, the U.S. vessel peppered the Ryuo-Un Maru with 25 mm shells. Then they switched to the more powerful 50 mm. It took about four hours for the vessel to go down in 6,000-feet-deep water and 180 miles from the Alaskan coast.
Nope, aimless drifting is not a good thing: not for a ship, not for a Christian.
That's the warning the writer of the book of Hebrews was giving when he wrote: "we must pay much closer attention to what we've heard lest we drift away."
It makes little difference whether you lived then or now, there are many voices trying to drown out the true redemption message the Lord has given us in the life, suffering, murder and resurrection of His Son.
You're heard those voices. There are those who say, "Jesus' substitution for us never happened and the Bible is a myth." There are others who say, "Some of it happened, but we can't be sure what is truth and what is fiction. And, of course, there are those who say, "It doesn't make any difference what you believe as long as you sincerely believe in something."
To any and all who would undermine Scriptural truth, our Daily Devotion passage counters with this encouraging reminder: look closely and don't drift. Jesus has risen and salvation's work is done. Pay attention and believe: by faith in the risen Redeemer we are saved.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord there are many who would love to see Christians set adrift from You. Today I pray You will keep us safely anchored in the truth of Scripture and the factual story of salvation begun and completed by our Savior. In His Name. Amen.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: Which two sons of Aaron died before their father did and why? Nadab and Abihu offered illegal sacrifices before the Lord. Leviticus 10:1-2
Dianne Hance regains her throne.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
TODAY'S QUIZ: What was Shimei the Ramathite in charge of?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CATECHISM
Question: What are human beings?
Answer: Human beings are the most important visible creatures. God created Adam and Eve in His own image, with authority over all the earth.
________________________________________________________________________________________________
CHURCH CALENDAR
Wed- Ladies Aid 1pm; bells 6:30; choir 7:30; newsletter deadline
Thurs- pastor's meeting in New Melle
Fri-
Sat- Traveling fellowship group leaves for Arthur, IL 7am; worship 5pm
Sun- early Bible study 8am; worship 9am; Sunday school/Bible class 10:15am; worship 11am
________________________________________________________________________________________________
NEWS:
ALPHA CLASS WAS WONDERFUL LAST NIGHT!!! We talked about and aswered the question "Who is Jesus?"
Come and join us next week as we answer the question 'Why did jesus die?"
We will be doing a potluck next week so bring a dish to share when you come!
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. ... How shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will. Hebrews 2:1, 3-4Moored at Hokkaido, Japan, the 164-foot Japanese ship, the Ryou-Un Maru, was destined to be cut up and sent to the scrap heap.
That's when fate intervened in the form of last year's tsunami.
The violence of the waves broke the ship free of its moorings and sent her adrift. She has been adrift on an ever-so-slow voyage across the Pacific ever since. For those of you who are wondering what ever-so-slow means, in this case, in recent weeks, it means the ship has been moving forward at the rate of a mile a day.
Of course, a drifting ship is not a good thing. When a drifting ship sneaks into the crowded sea lanes, there is always the danger of collision. If the drifter goes aground and breaks up, there is an oil spill to contend with. Nobody knew how much diesel fuel was still left on the Ryuo-Un Maru, but her tanks could hold up to 2,000 gallons of the black stuff. That could be a mess.
All of this explains why a U.S. Coast Guard cutter put an end to the ship's drifting. At first, the U.S. vessel peppered the Ryuo-Un Maru with 25 mm shells. Then they switched to the more powerful 50 mm. It took about four hours for the vessel to go down in 6,000-feet-deep water and 180 miles from the Alaskan coast.
Nope, aimless drifting is not a good thing: not for a ship, not for a Christian.
That's the warning the writer of the book of Hebrews was giving when he wrote: "we must pay much closer attention to what we've heard lest we drift away."
It makes little difference whether you lived then or now, there are many voices trying to drown out the true redemption message the Lord has given us in the life, suffering, murder and resurrection of His Son.
You're heard those voices. There are those who say, "Jesus' substitution for us never happened and the Bible is a myth." There are others who say, "Some of it happened, but we can't be sure what is truth and what is fiction. And, of course, there are those who say, "It doesn't make any difference what you believe as long as you sincerely believe in something."
To any and all who would undermine Scriptural truth, our Daily Devotion passage counters with this encouraging reminder: look closely and don't drift. Jesus has risen and salvation's work is done. Pay attention and believe: by faith in the risen Redeemer we are saved.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord there are many who would love to see Christians set adrift from You. Today I pray You will keep us safely anchored in the truth of Scripture and the factual story of salvation begun and completed by our Savior. In His Name. Amen.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: Which two sons of Aaron died before their father did and why? Nadab and Abihu offered illegal sacrifices before the Lord. Leviticus 10:1-2
Dianne Hance regains her throne.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
TODAY'S QUIZ: What was Shimei the Ramathite in charge of?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CATECHISM
Question: What are human beings?
Answer: Human beings are the most important visible creatures. God created Adam and Eve in His own image, with authority over all the earth.
________________________________________________________________________________________________
CHURCH CALENDAR
Wed- Ladies Aid 1pm; bells 6:30; choir 7:30; newsletter deadline
Thurs- pastor's meeting in New Melle
Fri-
Sat- Traveling fellowship group leaves for Arthur, IL 7am; worship 5pm
Sun- early Bible study 8am; worship 9am; Sunday school/Bible class 10:15am; worship 11am
________________________________________________________________________________________________
NEWS:
ALPHA CLASS WAS WONDERFUL LAST NIGHT!!! We talked about and aswered the question "Who is Jesus?"
Come and join us next week as we answer the question 'Why did jesus die?"
We will be doing a potluck next week so bring a dish to share when you come!
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PEOPLE GETTING BAPTIZED AND RECEIVED INTO MEMBERSHIP THIS WEEKEND (All in the 11am service)
Brian, Leeann, Kaci, and Kraig McLaughlin
Angela, Emily and Ian Brunson
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Brian, Leeann, Kaci, and Kraig McLaughlin
Angela, Emily and Ian Brunson
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
LITTLE LAMBS REGISTRATION FOR THE THREE YEAR OLD CLASS IS STILL OPEN!!!
Children should be 3 years old by August 1. Call the church office to sign them up TODAY!
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
TAILGATE SALE AND FLEA MARKET iS SATURDAY, MAY 5, 7am-1pm
This is held in conjunction with the Ladies Aid Craft and Bake Sale and Luncheon
Two ways you can help.
1. You can donate GENTLY used items to Little Lambs who will sell them under the pavilion that day. You can buy a parking spot or two or three for $10 a piece and sell your own things
Donations are going to the purchase of a "hands on" science lab and curriculum for Little Lambs.
Drop of dates are April 30-May 4.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
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
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
TRAVELING FELLOWSHIP GROUP GOING TO THE AMISH COMMUNITY OF ARTHUR, IL THIS SATURDAY!!!
Children should be 3 years old by August 1. Call the church office to sign them up TODAY!
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
TAILGATE SALE AND FLEA MARKET iS SATURDAY, MAY 5, 7am-1pm
This is held in conjunction with the Ladies Aid Craft and Bake Sale and Luncheon
Two ways you can help.
1. You can donate GENTLY used items to Little Lambs who will sell them under the pavilion that day. You can buy a parking spot or two or three for $10 a piece and sell your own things
Donations are going to the purchase of a "hands on" science lab and curriculum for Little Lambs.
Drop of dates are April 30-May 4.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
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
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
TRAVELING FELLOWSHIP GROUP GOING TO THE AMISH COMMUNITY OF ARTHUR, IL THIS SATURDAY!!!
They will leave PROMPTLY at 7am!!
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
STEWARDSHIP SPOLIGHT FOR THIS MONTH IS LUTHERAN HOUR MINISTRIES
This month's mission spolight is TURNING POINT. Turning Point is the emergency women's (and their children's) shelter in Warren County. If women feel they are in danger or they have no where else to turn they can call Turning Point and receive the help they need.
It is a worthwhile and well established mission to support. Go to http://turningpointdvs-com.doodlekit.com/home to check out more about it and to donate directly to it. You can also donate by using your special offering envelopes and writing Turning Point on the memo line on your check.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
STEWARDSHIP SPOLIGHT FOR THIS MONTH IS LUTHERAN HOUR MINISTRIES
This month's mission spolight is TURNING POINT. Turning Point is the emergency women's (and their children's) shelter in Warren County. If women feel they are in danger or they have no where else to turn they can call Turning Point and receive the help they need.
It is a worthwhile and well established mission to support. Go to http://turningpointdvs-com.doodlekit.com/home to check out more about it and to donate directly to it. You can also donate by using your special offering envelopes and writing Turning Point on the memo line on your check.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
PRAYERS: (If I have missed anyone please let me know.)
For SARAH SMITH, who is 36 weeks pregnant and was in a bad car accident yesterday. She is hospitalized, but they are pretty sure that the baby is ok.
For KARIN KLAUSTERMEIER'S DAD, BOB LAMPEN, who is dealing with some cancer troubles and recovering from a stroke.
For DOLORES DEBLAZE'S SISTER ALINE HOWELL, who is recovering well after a much easier surgery than expected.
FOr KEN DOVE (former member of St. John's and Jennifer Figura's dad) who is recovering from surgery.
For CAROLINE BUELTMANN who is recovering at her daughter's home from some heart troubles.
For PAUL TOEDEBUSCH who is undergoing more treatments for cancer.
For LIBBY PAILER as she continues to recover well at home from heart surgery.
For DOLORES DEBLAZE as she deals with chemo treatments for stage four lung cancer.
For JEANETTE KOEHLER who is recovering well at the Cedars.
For JONAS BORCHERT, grandson of Don Nolte, who is improving well and is gaining strength as he deals with his cancer.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.