Thursday, August 9, 2012

DEVOTION: Ephesians 4:11b-13  I have learned, in whatever situation I am, to be content.....  I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.   
 
In our catechism we have the last two commandments about coveting.  I always figured that since they were last, they were least important, right?  I couldn't be more wrong. 
 
Coveting is a big deal for us, because it robs us of joy.  We covet our neighbor's lawn because it is much greener, fuller and has less weeds than ours.  We covet our friends job, because his boss is a whole lot nicer than ours.  We covet our sisters kids because they are so much better behaved than ours.  I could go on and on.  Even a pastor can get very envious of other pastors for all different sorts of reasons.  You get the point. 
 
Do you see how this kind of stuff can rob you of joy and how it can make your life miserable? 
 
Paul, who said those words above, had everything in life to start with.  He had fame fortune, and power.  But he was not content.  He had to have more.  He was never content.  Not until God changed his life, that is. 
 
God had a plan for Paul that included being put in prison, being shipwrecked, being beaten to death, and being chased by his enemies.  Not onlthat, but he also talks about a thorn in his side, a messenger of Satan to torment him.  Even with all of this pain and suffering, Paul still says that he has learned the secret of being content no matter what the circumstance. 
 
The secret to being content is Jesus.  We can measure everything in life by how much Jesus loves us.  We can withstand anything in life, because we know that the end result of our life is eternal life in heaven with Jesus.  We can love others because He first loved us and not because of anything within that person. 
 
If you are int he middle of discontent I urge you to rethink things.  Instead of thinking abotu how ratty your children are being, think of them as a gift of God and how much you love them.  Instead of coveting your neighbor's lawn think about how much time he has to spend on it while you are spending time with the people you love.  Instead of thinking about your hardships, think about the love of Christ. 
 
Prayer:  Lord God, I know it sounds cliche, but help me to count my blessings and to learn to be content in any and every situation so that my life will be more joyful and that I will give praise and honor to you in everything.  Amen.
 
 
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MONDAY'S QUIZ:   How long was the captivity of the Israelites by the Babylonians?  70 years  Thanks to both Doug herzog and Dianne Hance for answering correctly
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TODAY'S QUIZ:  Who was Molech?
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CATECHISM:
Question: What do the Scriptures teach og the birth of Christ?
Answer: They teach that Jesus Christ, the God-man, was born of the Virgin Mary.  
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CALENDAR: 
Fri- NO Bible study at Hendershot's, it has been rescheduled for next Friday
Sat- Golf 7am; worship 5pm; Southern Heritage Gospel Music Concert 7pm
Sun- worship 8:30; Sunday school and Bible class 10:15; worship 11am (Avenue of the Saints is here at 11am service)
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NEWS:
GOLF OUTING THIS SATURDAY
Registration begins at 7am. 
Shotgun start at 8am. 
Lunch (burgers and brats) and awards at 1pm. 
4 person scramble.
$50 per person includes: golf with cart, drink tickets, lunch, attendance gifts, a chance to win a prize
$10 if you just want to do lunch.
 
All proceeds go to LITTLE LAMBS PRESCHOOL.
 
Call Alan Hofeldt at 456-3070 or email him at alanhofeldt@yahoo.com to sign up.
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SOUTHERN GOSPEL CONCERT by SOUTHERN HERITAGE THIS SATURDAY at 7pm
Jonathan Edwards, Deanna Edwards, and Rose Gilley make up Southern Heritage.  It is good old fashioned southern gospel music!  Make plans to attend right now!  Go to http://southernheritagegospel.com/ to check them out and to get a sampling of their music.  I am hoping for a big crowd.  The concert is free, but a free will offering will be taken to help this group continue to spread the Gospel wherever they go. 
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FIVE 14 REVOLUTION at 7pm at the Chesterfield Amphitheater
MRS. WINN HAS ROOM FOR TWO MORE IN HER CAR!  Call her asap to tell her you want to go with her.  314-479-5543
This is a free contemporary Christian rock concert at the Chesterfield Amphitheater especially for young people.  Acts like Taylor Perry, Mynista, and Of Time and Tide will be performing.  Check it out at www.facebook.com/five14.
 
I really need some adults to chaperone any kids who want to go!  Please call me at 359-1061 to let me know if you are willing!!!
 
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BLESSING OF THE BACKPACKS THIS WEEKEND
Hey all you kids, please bring your backpacks with you to church this Sunday.  We are going to bless them and you as you are about to begin school.  You will get a neat little hook on thing for your backpack too.  We want to get the whole front of church full of back packs to bless so that we can in turn bless the schools that they are3 going into. 
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The band, AVENUE OF THE SAINTS, is GOING TO BE HERE ON SUNDAY AT our 11am service!!

Come and check them out to see what good contemporary Christian music sounds like!!

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STEWARDSHIP SPOLIGHT FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST IS OUR OWN LITTLE LAMBS PRESCHOOL!!!

What a great opportunity to support a mission right here!  If you don't want to do the golf outing, but you still want to help Little Lambs just put a check in the offering plate that is specifically designated to Little Lambs.  They start school on August 16.  

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PRAYERS:

For JOYCE SCHIEN as she recovers from bllod clots on her brain.  She is able to talk although her speech is a bit slurred and she has a feeding tube in becuase she isn't able to swallow, Her left side is a bit damaged, but she can move her legs. She is recovering but she has a long road ahead.

 

For BONNIE FRENZIA as she recovers from back surgery.

 

For JIM RAHN as he recovers from hernia surgery.

 

For DOLORES DEBLAZE as she continues to deal with her cancer, but is taking a break from treatments.

 

FOr BOB LAMPEN, Karin Klaustermeier's dad, as his treatment is doing some good, and as he is starting a new treatment for his liver cancer.

 

For JEANETTE KOEHLER as she reocvers from vascular surgery to relieve pain and help with circulation in her foot and as she works hard to get back home.

 

For GENE SIEBOLD as he awaits the results of his cancer treatments as they are completed. 

 

For ALL OF OUR FARMERS AND ALL WHO DEPEND ON THE LAND AND ON RAIN, that God would provide for their needs even during this drought.