Wednesday, November 7, 2012

DEVOTION:  (from pastor)
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all. (1 Timothy 2:1-6a ESV)
 
SOme of you reading this today are glad about the elections last night.  Others of you are sad for the same reasons. 
 
Whether you are sad or glad, remember that the Lord has commanded you to honor and respect all who are in authority.  For there is no authority on earth that God has not allowed. 
 
In our passage above we see what seems to be reasonable direction from Paul to Timothy.  The circumstances were less than ideal to make it happen.  You see, the government that Paul lived under was oppresive to Christianity and to him specifically.  He had been imprisoned, beaten, and left for dead several times by the very government that he was now telling Timothy to pray for. 
 
What does this teach us?  It teaches us that it is God's will that is good!  It teaches us that we should pray for all in authority that, if they are against us, their hearts would be turned.  If they are for us, that it owuld remain so.  If there is struggle or disagreement, it would cease.  And that, in all things, God's will would be done in and through our leaders and those in authority. 
 
Ultimately, we live in a country where we are still free to worship when, where, and how we want.  We have a president who is a Christian.  He proclaims Jesus as Lord and Savior.  We have freedom to proclaim Jesus as Lord without fear of persecution or imprisonment.  Praise and thanks be to God for His mercy and grace in this!
 
Certainly we have some struggles to overcome and work through.  That is where prayer, perseverance, and holding strictly to God's Word and truth comes in.  Where our government is according to God's Word we obey it.  Where it is against it we work to correct it and bring about change.  We keep fighting the good fight of faith, because we are Christians and we know that our labor in the Lord is not in vain!  We keep fighting for what is right according to God's will, so that in the end the Lord will say to us  "Well done good and faithful servant, welcome to the place prepared for you in heaven!"
 
Prayer: Lord God, help me to not get discouraged at election results, because my jy doesn't lie in circumstances, but in you.  At the same time, help me not put my hope in governments or in mortal men who cannot save.  Help me to put my trust solely in you!  You are the only one who brings real change in the hearts and lives of people!  Praise, glory, and honor to you alone, O Savior!  Amen.
  

 
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TUESDAY'S QUIZ: What did Jesus say to the disciples after they exclaimed "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name."  I saw Satan fall like lightening from heaven.  I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.  However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." 
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WEDNESDAY'S QUIZ:  Where is Perea?
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CATECHISM:
Question:  Why do you say "I believe" in the holy Christian church? 
Answer: 
a. Because faith, which makes people members of the church, is invisible, the church is invisible to human eyes.
b. The Scriptures assure us that the Holy SPirit continues to gather and preserve the church.
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CALENDAR: 
Wed- 8th graders to LHS for Teens talk to Teens leave at 5:15pm 
Thurs- Adult membership instruction class 6pm (everyone is welcome)
Fri- nothing
Sat- Patriot Packing (formerly Goodies 4 You G 4 U) at the ARMORY at 9am:  worship 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; worship 11am; elders meeting noon; Bus trip to see the Rockettes leaves at 1pm

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NEWS:

CHOIR PRACTICE STARTS TONIGHT AT 6:30pm

Molly Hendershot has graciously volunteered to lead/direct a choir to sing on Thanksgiving Eve and Christmas.  Practice will start this coming Wednesday at 6:30pm.  Please call her to let her know you will be joining this special choir.  636-488-5751

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HELP NEEDED FOR GOOD NEWS CLUB STARTING AT REBECCA BOONE ON WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14 at 2:45

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.

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OPERATION CHRISTMAS BOX

The Sunday school is accepting donations to fill Christmas shoe boxes.  See the list on the bulletin board downstairs by church office for items that an be included in a shoe box.  If anyone would like to do a box on your own, please read the directions.  If you have any questions, call Christy Winn at 314-479-5543 or email her at christymwinn@hotmail.com.

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PATRIOT PACKAGES (FORMERLY G4U) PACKING THIS SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10 at 9am!!!!!!

Thrivent will supply lunch so please come and help pack goodie bags for our soldiers serving overseas.  They are still accepting goodie bags and skull caps and are collecting other items.  A complete list can be found in the narthex or on the bulletin board by the church office.  If you have any other questions call Denise Schlesselmann at 260-579-2942

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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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FREE PLANNING FOR LONG TERM CARE WORKSHOP NEXT WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14 at 7PM at the Embassy Suites in St. Charles!!

RSVP to Tonya Goslin by email at tonyagoslin@thrivent.com or call 636-219-7919.  Light refreshments will be served. 

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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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HURRICAN 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: 

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 CAROL KOHRS who is dealing with a lot of back and neck pain. 

 

For a friend and coworker of Christy Winn, JO, who lost her apartment in a fire Sunday night.

 

For a friend of Pam Bueltmann, whose son  (40) was taken to the emergency room this morning for tests and her daughter  (29) is going through a divorce.  Pray for mother Ronda too. 

 

For BOB LAMPEN, Karin Klaustermeier's dad, who is now on hospice care.

 

For BARB DREYER'S DAD as he is dealing with many physical illnesses and weaknesses and her mother as she cares for him.

  

For LIL WINTER as she is doing rehabilitation as Delmar Gardens in OFallon. .

 

For DON TURNURE who is recovering well from hip replacement surgery.

 

For JOYCE SCHIEN as she is recovering well from pneumonia at Delmar Gardens in OFallon.

 

For PEGGY TALBERT as she recovers from severe esophagus issues and is still not feeling well.  (A hiatal hernia and esophagitis) 

 

For WALT SCHIRR, as recovers from surgery to take care of his vertigo and balance problems.

  

For GENE SIEBOLD who is recovering from pneumonia at Delmar Gardens in Chesterfield.

 

For JEANETTE KOEHLER, who is recovering at Troy Nursing Home from an amputaed toe.

 

 For MARILYN FOSTER'S NIECE, HEATHER.  She has a very rare spine condition, which has resulted in a spinal fluid leak. They are trying for the 2nd time to do a "blood patch" to stop the leak. Yesterdays try was unsuccessful and they are going to try again today. The only specialist in the US that treats these conditions is out of town until next week, the doctor that is caring for her has only done 1 of these before.

 

For CHRISTIAN WENZEL, art teacher at Blackhawk Middle School, who fell out of his tree stand while deer hunting on Saturday and broke his sternum and many ribs.  He has many things wrong with him and is in critical condition in the hospital.

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For MARY SUE TOEDEBUSCH as she recovers from a very bad infection and as she continues to deal with very bad rheumatoid arthritis and other health troubles. 

 

  
For ED, neighbor to the Fosters, who found out he has cancer. 
 

For STEVE, a friend of Tony and Sandra Perricone, who is a husband, and a father of 2 and is undergoing tests for fluid on the brain.

 

For JOSIAH TULEY, great nephew of DIANNE HANCE'S friend Cindy Schwada.  Josiah is recovering well (the tumor was benign) and he may be getting to go home from the hospital soon.  He had a stroke because of the tumor and is still working on regaining control of some of his movements.