Tuesday, December 4, 2012

DEVOTION:  (from LHM)

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Over the years there have been times when people asked me, "Why should I meditate or memorize God's Word?" Today I can give an answer -- an answer which begins with this story: a few weeks ago, the ten-foot waves were pounding the shore of California's Big Lagoon Beach when Howard Kulijian and his family went out for a walk with their dog, Fran.

When Kulijian tossed a stick toward the water, Fran raced down to fetch it. It was then, just as the dog got to the shoreline, a "sneaker wave," that is, a wave larger than all the others, swept in and carried the dog away from the shore.

Kulijian's son, 16-year-old Gregory, forgot about the signs along the beach that warned about those sneaker waves and ran after the dog. Kulijian ran after Gregory and Mary Scott, Kulijian's wife, followed them all.

As of this writing the bodies of both father and mother have been recovered and Greg is still missing. It was a terrible tragedy, a tragedy I can understand. You see, if one of our dogs was in a life-and-death situation, I believe any of our three children, motivated by love for their pet, would have put everything else aside and rushed in to help. Pamie would have followed the children, and I would have gone after them all. That's what most families would do.

That's what they would do unless ... unless the posted warning signs had become part of their thinking, paramount in their minds.

If you review Scripture, you will find many of the sins committed by God's people happened because their wants and wishes pushed aside God's words of warning. That's what happened to Adam and Eve, Samson, David, Ananias and Sapphira, along with so many others. When they reached a crossroad in their lives, a crossroad which would, to a large extent determine their relationship with the Lord, they took the wrong path, their path and the results were catastrophic.

Why meditate and memorize God's Word?

Because in your life you will probably get to a similar crossroad. At that time you will need to know, in no uncertain terms, what God wants you to do. The possibility you will walk the right road is increased if you are intimately familiar with His Word, which equips us for the crossroads of life.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, all around us we see tragedies. Some are earthly tragedies like that which happened to the Kulijian family. Others are spiritual disasters, where people have taken their road rather than Your will. You have given us the Holy Scriptures, so we might be prepared for the evil eventualities of this world. Move those words from the paper into our minds and hearts. This we ask in the Savior's Name. Amen. 
 

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Monday's Quiz:  Was Apollos willing to go to Corinth at first? No, because he didn't want to make them think more of him than they ought.  They were beginning to hold him up as a god.
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TUESDAY'S QUIZ: Why did Paul have no peace of mind in Troas?

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CATECHISM:
Question:  What do the Scriptures teach about your life in the church?
Answer: 

They teach that

a. We should seek always to be and remain members of the invisible church, Christ's body, by sincere faith in Christ, our Savior;

b. we should be faithful to that visible church, or denomination, which professes and teaches all od the Bible's doctrine purely and administers the sacraments according to Christ's institution.

c. we should avoid false teachers, false churches, and all organizations that promote a religion that is contrary to God's Word;

d. we should maintain and extend God's church by telling othes about jesus, by personal service, and by prayer and financial support.
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CALENDAR

Tues- Quilters 9-2; Bible Study 11:30-12:15

Wed- Advent Supper 5:30; Worship 6:30; Choir practice after worship
Thurs- Jonesburg worship 10:30; Alzheimer's Caregivers Support Group 1pm

Fri-
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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FIRST ADVENT DINNER AND WORSHIP TOMORROW, 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 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 BARB DREYER'S DAD as he has been placed on hospice care.

 

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. .