DEVOTION: For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. Philippians 1:21-23
This past week I was bothered when I read the remarkable story of Tyler Campbell.
If you missed it, let me briefly share. Nineteen-year-old Campbell was at church with his family when he left to go to a friend's home. He promised he would be home by midnight. That deadline came and went, but the family wasn't worried. It was only the next day that their concern began to increase.
A call to Campbell's friend and a drive on the route the lad would have taken home led the family to conclude the teenager was missing. The police were informed and hundreds of people volunteered their time in a search for the young man.
Three days after he went missing, with a broken shoulder and a broken leg, Campbell managed to crawl out of a 30-foot ravine where his truck had crashed. Overjoyed, his father said, "I don't believe in luck. It was the Lord. It was 100 percent in His plan, and His will, and His way."
Now I am, like the Campbells, thankful that Tyler is alive. Even so, I am still concerned about the father's statement. I am concerned because I'm not sure Campbell's dad would have said the same thing if his boy had been killed in that accident.
The truth is and Saint Paul said it, "to live is Christ and to die is gain." To the church at Rome, the apostle wrote: "So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be the Lord both of the dead and of the living" (Romans 14:8-9).
Saint Paul knew that our loving Father will always do what is right and best for His people. In life or in death God will always do what is right and best.
Now it's true we sinful humans with limited understanding may not always be able to understand why someone is in an accident or why a loved one may be taken from us. At such times we may not comprehend, but a Holy Spirit-given faith can still motivate us to say, as our Savior once said, "Not My will, but Thine be done" (Luke 22:42b).
As children of faith, we can and ought to echo the Redeemer, who knew the good that would come from Him drinking His "cup of suffering" would outweigh the pain and suffering, which were soon to come. Showing an unshakable faith, Jesus trusted His Heavenly Father.
We should do no less. As Jesus told His people, "If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!" (Matthew 7:11).
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, give me faith to know that while Your ways are not my ways, and Your thoughts are not mine, You will always do what is right and best for Your children of faith. This I ask in Jesus' Name. Amen.
This past week I was bothered when I read the remarkable story of Tyler Campbell.
If you missed it, let me briefly share. Nineteen-year-old Campbell was at church with his family when he left to go to a friend's home. He promised he would be home by midnight. That deadline came and went, but the family wasn't worried. It was only the next day that their concern began to increase.
A call to Campbell's friend and a drive on the route the lad would have taken home led the family to conclude the teenager was missing. The police were informed and hundreds of people volunteered their time in a search for the young man.
Three days after he went missing, with a broken shoulder and a broken leg, Campbell managed to crawl out of a 30-foot ravine where his truck had crashed. Overjoyed, his father said, "I don't believe in luck. It was the Lord. It was 100 percent in His plan, and His will, and His way."
Now I am, like the Campbells, thankful that Tyler is alive. Even so, I am still concerned about the father's statement. I am concerned because I'm not sure Campbell's dad would have said the same thing if his boy had been killed in that accident.
The truth is and Saint Paul said it, "to live is Christ and to die is gain." To the church at Rome, the apostle wrote: "So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be the Lord both of the dead and of the living" (Romans 14:8-9).
Saint Paul knew that our loving Father will always do what is right and best for His people. In life or in death God will always do what is right and best.
Now it's true we sinful humans with limited understanding may not always be able to understand why someone is in an accident or why a loved one may be taken from us. At such times we may not comprehend, but a Holy Spirit-given faith can still motivate us to say, as our Savior once said, "Not My will, but Thine be done" (Luke 22:42b).
As children of faith, we can and ought to echo the Redeemer, who knew the good that would come from Him drinking His "cup of suffering" would outweigh the pain and suffering, which were soon to come. Showing an unshakable faith, Jesus trusted His Heavenly Father.
We should do no less. As Jesus told His people, "If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!" (Matthew 7:11).
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, give me faith to know that while Your ways are not my ways, and Your thoughts are not mine, You will always do what is right and best for Your children of faith. This I ask in Jesus' Name. Amen.
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WEDNESDAY'S QUIZ: Who was sent to Thessalonica to strengthen the Thessalonians in their faith? (No one answered. I will leave it up for an extra/ day.)
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CATECHISM:
Question: Are there then two church, one visible and the other invisible?
Answer:
CATECHISM:
Question: Are there then two church, one visible and the other invisible?
Answer:
There is only one church-- all believers in Christ. The visible gathering is called church because of the believers gathered around the means of grace in an assembly in which there are also hypocrites.
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CALENDAR
Thurs- Pastor on KFUO AM 850 and kfuoam.org 11am
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CALENDAR
Thurs- Pastor on KFUO AM 850 and kfuoam.org 11am
Fri- assemble newsletter 9am
Sat- Vendor Fair Christmas Shopping 9am-3pm; worship 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; worship 11am
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NEWS
Sat- Vendor Fair Christmas Shopping 9am-3pm; worship 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; worship 11am
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NEWS
CHRISTMAS SHOPPING EVENT THIS SATURDAY AT CHURCH 9am-3pm
Come support your St. John's members as they sell their wares at church.
The Girl Scouts will be there to wrap any gifts you buy for a donation. There will be hot cider, coffee, hotdogs, desserts, and other refreshments for sale. It is just going to be a fun, festive time! Come and check it out!!
Tables are also still available for anyone else interested in selling their items. $20 a table to rent and all proceeds go to the building fund.
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FIRST ADVENT DINNER AND WORSHIP WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5
SUPPER 5:30
WORSHIP at 6:30!!!
If your elder is Don Turnure, John Hachtel, or Dave Tinnin please bring two of the following: vegetable, salad, or dessert. Don't forget that worship is at 6:30, a half hour earlier this year!!!________________________________________________________________________________
SUNDAY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PROGRAM PRACTICE SCHEDULEWe understand if you cannot make all of the practices, but we would appreciate your child attending as many as possible. We will also practice during our Sunday chool hour each Sunday as well.
Friday, November 30- 5-6:30pm Pizza party and practice (Come hungry!!)
Saturday, Dec. 1- 10-11am
Saturday, Dec. 8- 10-11am
Saturday, Dec. 15- 10-11am, Taco Bar after practice to celebrate!! (Come hungry!)
Performance is Sunday, Dec. 16 at the 11am service!!!
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CHOIR PRACTICE WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT 6:30pm
When Advent starts it will be after worship probably around 7:15.
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WARREN COUNTY BOOKCASE CLUB NEEDS YOUR HELP!!!
The Warren County Bookcase Club is all geared up for another season of making and assembling bookcases for kids in need in Warren County. They need donors to contribute $50 per bookcase.
Please contact Rich Lagemann at richlagemann@hotmail.com if you would like more info. Checks can be made to "Warren COunty Bookcase Club" and be sent to First State Community Bank in Warrenton: 1022 North Highway 47. Warrenton, MO 63383.
Please let me know if you are going to donate ot this worthy cause!
Please contact Rich Lagemann at richlagemann@hotmail.com if you would like more info. Checks can be made to "Warren COunty Bookcase Club" and be sent to First State Community Bank in Warrenton: 1022 North Highway 47. Warrenton, MO 63383.
Please let me know if you are going to donate ot this worthy cause!
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LUTHERANS FOR LIFE GROUP AT ST JOHN"S WHAT DO WE NEED???
Do you want to get our church more active in the cause of protecting and honoring life at all stages. We have an opportunity to get connected with the St Charles County Lutherans for Life Chapter.
All we really need is someone to represent us and to be the contact person for our congregation to the chapter.
Anyone who is interested please simply respon to this email and I will get you connected to the right person.
Also, mark your calendars for a special LIFE SUNDAY coming up on Sunday, January 27. It will be a special Sunday to celebrate our earthly physical lives in Christ and how God is the creator and protector of our bodies as well as our souls, and how he will raise up our bodies on the last day!!!
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All we really need is someone to represent us and to be the contact person for our congregation to the chapter.
Anyone who is interested please simply respon to this email and I will get you connected to the right person.
Also, mark your calendars for a special LIFE SUNDAY coming up on Sunday, January 27. It will be a special Sunday to celebrate our earthly physical lives in Christ and how God is the creator and protector of our bodies as well as our souls, and how he will raise up our bodies on the last day!!!
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They still need more helpers!! 26 kids showed up for the first week last week! It is a wonderful way to bring the Gospel to those who need to hear it!
Denise Schlesselmann and Mary Aubuchon have graciously volunteered to help get this wonderful opportunity to bring lost children to Christ and to strengthen the faith of those already in Christ!! They need some more helpers though!
It is every Wednesday from 2:45-4:15. If you can help, even if it is just once or twice a month, please call me 359-1061, and I will direct you to the proper place.
_______________________________________________CHRISTMAS CARDS FOR SALE
Christmas is only a month and a half away. Time to get those Christmas cards! Where can you get good Christian ones? how about downstairs at church? They are in the display case! Stop by and pick some up! You can pay Marilyn in the office.
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TWO BEAUTIFUL QUILTS FOR RAFFLE AND BID!!!
Two queen size quilts are hanging in the church basement. The blue one is being auctioned off. The starting bid is $300.
The green one is being raffled off. Tickets are $1 a piece or 6 for $5.
Both quilts will be awarded on December 1 at the end of our vendor fair.
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ALL LADIES CHRISTMAS PARTY--- DECEMBER 3 at IMO'S AT 6pm
Please sign the list on the counter in the narthex by Wed, Nov 28 so rexervations can be made. Bring a wrapped $10 gift for a fun gift exchange.
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HURRICANE SANDY RELIEF
The LCMS is asking for donations to help with relief efforts. If you care to give, you may use a designated envelope, or you can go to LCMS.org and donate directly online.
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STEWARDSHIP SPOLIGHT FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER IS THE LUTHERAN HERITAGE FOUNDATION
LHF translates, publishes and distributes Lutheran materials throughout the world. It is not subsidized by the LCMS or any other church body, but is dependent on individual donations. If you care to make a donation, make your check payable to St. John's and place in a deisgnated envelope, clearly marked "Lutheran Heritage FOundation". As usual, these donations should be over and above your normal tithes, commitments, and offerings to St. John's.
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PRAYERS:
PRAYERS:
For BARB DREYER'S DAD as he has been placed on hospice care.
For GARRETT SPOEDE who is recovering from having parts of his toes and feet amputated. He is at home and doing well.
For SANDRA PERRICONE'S SISTER, KAREN, as she was in a car accident this past week. Everything was ok with that, but as they were checking her out after the accident they found some serious heart issues and may have to do surgery. Pray for God's guidance for doctors and Karen, and for peace in this situation.
For Dave and Carol Kohrs' daughter BETH RITTER, who is suffering from a very low white blood cell count, liver failure, pneumonia, and sores in her mouth and throat. .
For MARILYN FOSTER'S NIECE, HEATHER. As she is still dealing with a severe sickness that has yet to be diagnosed, and as she continues to lose weight and gets weaker, that the doctors are able to find out what is wrong soon.
For CHRISTIAN WENZEL, art teacher at Blackhawk Middle School, who continues to recover from a fall from his deer stand that left him paralyzed from the waist down. .
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