Thursday, December 6, 2012

DEVOTION:  For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.  For in the Gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith,"  Romans 1:16-17
 
Have you ever gotten one of those emails or Facebook posts that says, "If you aren't ashamed of this message you will forward it or "post" it.  When I see those I immediately delete them.  No one is going to guilt me into forwarding an email or to repost something that they think is important.  I actually get disgusted at those  things, because someone is trying to guilt me into doing something. 
 
 
We shouldn't guilt people into doing anything, and that is exactly what Paul is saying here in our reading for today.  The Gospel is the power of salvation.  The Gospel isn't guilt.  It doesn't bring guilt.  It doesn't show us our guilt.  That is the power of the law.  The law condemns.  The law guilts us.   The Gospel brings life and salvation. 
 
Too many people, including well meaning Christians, get the Law and the Gospel confused.  Don't get me wrong, the law is good.  It shows us our sins and our need for a Savior, but if we stay in the law we will be disappointed, desperate, and hopeless.  When we hear the law, and it cuts us to the heart, we must immediately turn to the Gospel for comfort. 
 
And the Gospel is simply this, "God so loved the world that He sent His only Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."  John 3:16
 
That is what we celebrate during this Advent season and well into Christmas, but it is also something that we celebrate every moment of our lives all year long!  I encourage you to get out of the doldrums of the law today.  Get rid of your guilt and believe that the Lord truly does love you enough to send His own Son to die for you! 
 
 
Prayer:  Lord God, help me not to be ashamed of the Gospel for it is the power of God for my salvation!  Help me to trust in You every day more and more!  Amen.
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WEDNESDAY'S QUIZ: According to his second letter to the Corinthians, what is the only thing Paul will boast about?  "I will boast of the things that show my weakness."  II Corinthians 11:30

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THURSDAY'S QUIZ:  Are Jews and Gentiles the same or different under sin?

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CATECHISM:
Question:  What moves God to forgive sins?

Answer: God forgives sins because He is merciful and because of Christ's atoning sacrifice for sinners.

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CALENDAR

Thurs- Alzheimer's Caregivers Support Group 1pm

Fri- Jonesburg worship 10:30
Sat- Christmas Program practice 10-11am; worship 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; worship 11am; elders meeting noon
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NEWS

 

GOOD NEWS CLUB NEEDS Please help!!!

 

1. SNACKS:  St. John's is sponsoring the Good News Club at Rebecca Boone this year.  One of the responsibilities is that we provide snacks for the kiddos.  There are at least 35 kids participating so far and will probably be more.  If you would be willing to help out by making or buying a snack I would greatly appreciate it.  Please call me for more information!  359-1061.

 

2. 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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SUNDAY SCHOOL CHRISTMAS PROGRAM PRACTICE SCHEDULE

We 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.  
 
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 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!

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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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STEWARDSHIP SPOLIGHT FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER IS ST. JOHN's GIVING TREE. 

Please take a red ornament off of the tree.  Buy a gift or two listed on the ornament, and bring back the WRAPPED gift with the red ornament attached to it by December 16.    

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PRAYERS: 

For the DREYER FAMILY, as Barb's dad went to be with the Lord Tuesday night.

 

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 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. .