Monday, December 10, 2012

DEVOTION:   On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul talked with them, intending to depart on the next day, and he prolonged his speech until midnight. There were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered. And a young man named Eutychus, sitting at the window, sank into a deep sleep as Paul talked still longer. And being overcome by sleep, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. But Paul went down and bent over him, and taking him in his arms, said, "Do not be alarmed, for his life is in him." And when Paul had gone up and had broken bread and eaten, he conversed with them a long while, until daybreak, and so departed. And they took the youth away alive, and were not a little comforted.  (Acts 20:7-12 ESV)
 
This passage has always made me giggle.  It probably wasn't all that funny though when it happened.  Can you imagine the grief that must have been going throughout the group.  Can you imagine Paul and the guilt he must have immediately felt? 
 
Or maybe not.  Paul knew that the Word of God was of utmost importance and nothing was going to stop him from getting God's message out before he had to leave, not the time of day, not a kid falling from a third story window, NOTHING. 
 
This passage is a good reminder of how important God's message is.  How important is it to you?  Are you willing to stay up until sunrise to talk about Jesus?  Are you willing to go right back to talking about Jesus even after a person dies and comes back to life in the crowd you are talking with.  I would have to say that that experience would probably wipe me out for the rest of the night. 
 
As much as we enjoy all the trappings of the season and as much excitement as there is in December, we must never forget the importance of what happened at Christmas and that message of salvation it brings.   Always hold first and foremost God's Word of truth, because that alone is the power of salvation for everyone who believes!
 
Prayer:  Lord God, help me never to forget the importance of your Gospel message.  Amen.
 


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WEDNESDAY'S QUIZ: Are Jews and Gentiles the same or different under sin?  yes, and grace too!

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MONDAY'S QUIZ:  When Paul went back through Macedonia, because the Jews had made a plot against him when he was about to sail for Syria, who accompanied him? 

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CATECHISM:
Question: How is it possible for a just and holy God to declare sinners righteous (justification)?

Answer: God declares sinners righteous for Christ's sake; that is, , our sins have been imputes or charged to Christ, the Savior, and Christ's righteousness has been imputed or credited to us. 

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CALENDAR

Mon- Whispering Pines worship 10am; Confirmation 5pm

Tues- Quilters 9-2; Bible study 11:30-12:15; Trustees meeting at Good Shepherd 7pm

Wed-  Ladies Aid Christmas luncheon noon; Advent Supper 5:30; worship 6:30; choir 7:15

Thurs- nothing

Fri- Bible study at Hendershots 7pm

Sat- Christmas Program practice 10-11am; worship 5pm
Sun- Deadline to get Giving Tree gifts in; worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; Sunday school Christmas program 11am; Little Lambs Christmas program 6pm __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
NEWS

GIVING TREE GIFTS DUE THIS SUNDAY!!!

Make sure you have your wrapped gifts in to church by this Sunday!   

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GOOD NEWS CLUB NEEDS Please help!!!

 1. MONEY:  Another thing we are responsible for is providing funds for materials.  Since it is not in the budget, this depends on individual donations.  If you would like to donate to this worthwhile cause, please call me about it. 

 

3. HELPERS:  A third thing that is needed are helpers.  They meet every Wednesday from 2:45-4:15 at Rebecca Boone Elementary.  Call me if you'd like to help out!

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SECOND ADVENT DINNER AND WORSHIP NEXT WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12

SUPPER 5:30
WORSHIP at 6:30!!!
If your elder is DAVE WINTER, JIM RAHN, or STEVE MCDOWELL  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!!!

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LAST SUNDAY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PROGRAM PRACTICE THIS 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 7:15. 

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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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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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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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PRAYERS: 

For the DREYER FAMILY, as Barb's dad's funeral is today.

 

For BETH RITTER, daughter of Dave and Carol Kohrs, who is in ICU with many complications from an unknown illness.

 

For TINA RUTH'S SISTER, who is dealing with cancer.

 

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 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. .