DEVOTION: 
Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins. Ecclesiastes 7:20
The four lads in the buggy are Amish.
In Sherman, Ohio, about 80 miles southwest of Buffalo, New York, it's not unusual to see young Amish folk going buggying, especially on a Sunday night. Living a lifestyle that has long since disappeared for the rest of the world, these four give every impression of having "got it together," as they lead a life that is honest, hard-working and honorable.
Watching their buggy meander down the road, the casual observer can be forgiven if he feels just a bit of envy in regard to these pastoral pals, who are so obviously removed from all the temptations, troubles and tribulations of the modern world.
What would you say if I told you the four were about to be arrested? Would you shout, "Police harassment!"? Would you cry, "Religious profiling!"?
I hope you wouldn't jump to any such conclusion. The four were arrested for driving their buggy under the influence of alcohol.
And how did the police know they were under the influence? The Chautauqua County sheriff made a wild guess when they drove their buggy into his squad car and flipped the buggy onto its side. His report is not the only one making the rounds. Sadly, good witnesses are hard to find, since the other buggies that were there fled the scene of the accident.
Still, drinking and buggying happens. In July of 2011 another Amish lad led the police on a low-speed chase, after an officer saw him consuming beer in his buggy.
This all goes to prove what Scripture has always maintained: there is not a just man on the earth, who does good and doesn't sin. Not even the Amish or you and me.
This is precisely why we need a Savior.
Knowing we were doomed to die both temporarily and eternally, God chose to send His Son to take our place under the Law. More than that, Jesus had to successfully resist all temptations thrown against Him and, then, when His life was complete, He had to defeat death.
All this Jesus did so you might be forgiven, so your debts to the Law could be forgiven.
All this Jesus did so four Amish lads would know their Heavenly Father forgives them more completely than did their earthly fathers, who had to get them out of jail.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, from the cross You saw the sins of these four, even as You saw mine. For having died to rescue me from me, I am most thankful. May everyone in the world join me in giving thanks. This I ask in the Name of my Savior, Jesus. Amen.
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: Where did Samuel live when he got the call from God to become the next prophet? He lived in the temple (Dianne Hance regains her # 1 spot.)
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TODAY'S QUIZ: What was Saul's dad's name?
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CATECHISM
Question: Who is the only true God?
Answer: The only true God is the triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, three distinct persons in one divine being (the Holy Trinity).
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CHURCH CALENDAR
Wed- Supper 5:30; bells 6; worship 7; choir 7:30
Thurs- nothing
Fri- nothing
Sat- worship 5pm
Sun- Bible Study 8; worship 9; worship 11am; (Don't forget that it is April Fool's Day)
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NEWS:
TONIGHT IS THE LAST MIDWEEK SUPPER AT 5:30 AND WORSHIP 7pm
Supper- 5:30--- FRIED CHICKEN, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, peaches, rolls, and dessert
Worship- 7pm- The Sanhedrin rail against Jesus. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________
LITTLE LAMBS REGISTRATION IS GOING ON RIGHT NOW FOR CURRENTLY ENROLLED FAMILIES AND CHURCH MEMBERS!!
A nonrefundable enrollment fee of $30 is required. Open enrollment for the whole community opens April 1.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
TRAVELING FELLOWSHIP GROUP GOING TO THE AMISH COMMUNITY OF ARTHUR, IL ON APRIL 21. Cost is $65 per person.
Sign up sheet in on the counter in the narthex or you can call Marilyn in the office to sign up. THERE ARE PLENTY OF SPOTS AVAILABLE!!!!! SIGN UP TODAY!!
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
STEWARDSHIP SPOLIGHT FOR THIS MONTH IS LUTHERAN HOUR MINISTRIES
LHM is a Christian outreach ministry supporting churches, missions, and ministry worldwide. The daily devotion above comes from LHM almost every day. If you wish to donate ot it please make a check out to LHM and put it in a specially designated envelope.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
BIBLE 101: A NEW ONLINE "INTRODUCTORY" BIBLE STUDY IS AVAILABLE FOR ALL MEMBERS OF ST JOHN'S!!!
Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins. Ecclesiastes 7:20The four lads in the buggy are Amish.
In Sherman, Ohio, about 80 miles southwest of Buffalo, New York, it's not unusual to see young Amish folk going buggying, especially on a Sunday night. Living a lifestyle that has long since disappeared for the rest of the world, these four give every impression of having "got it together," as they lead a life that is honest, hard-working and honorable.
Watching their buggy meander down the road, the casual observer can be forgiven if he feels just a bit of envy in regard to these pastoral pals, who are so obviously removed from all the temptations, troubles and tribulations of the modern world.
What would you say if I told you the four were about to be arrested? Would you shout, "Police harassment!"? Would you cry, "Religious profiling!"?
I hope you wouldn't jump to any such conclusion. The four were arrested for driving their buggy under the influence of alcohol.
And how did the police know they were under the influence? The Chautauqua County sheriff made a wild guess when they drove their buggy into his squad car and flipped the buggy onto its side. His report is not the only one making the rounds. Sadly, good witnesses are hard to find, since the other buggies that were there fled the scene of the accident.
Still, drinking and buggying happens. In July of 2011 another Amish lad led the police on a low-speed chase, after an officer saw him consuming beer in his buggy.
This all goes to prove what Scripture has always maintained: there is not a just man on the earth, who does good and doesn't sin. Not even the Amish or you and me.
This is precisely why we need a Savior.
Knowing we were doomed to die both temporarily and eternally, God chose to send His Son to take our place under the Law. More than that, Jesus had to successfully resist all temptations thrown against Him and, then, when His life was complete, He had to defeat death.
All this Jesus did so you might be forgiven, so your debts to the Law could be forgiven.
All this Jesus did so four Amish lads would know their Heavenly Father forgives them more completely than did their earthly fathers, who had to get them out of jail.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, from the cross You saw the sins of these four, even as You saw mine. For having died to rescue me from me, I am most thankful. May everyone in the world join me in giving thanks. This I ask in the Name of my Savior, Jesus. Amen.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: Where did Samuel live when he got the call from God to become the next prophet? He lived in the temple (Dianne Hance regains her # 1 spot.)
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
TODAY'S QUIZ: What was Saul's dad's name?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CATECHISM
Question: Who is the only true God?
Answer: The only true God is the triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, three distinct persons in one divine being (the Holy Trinity).
________________________________________________________________________________________________
CHURCH CALENDAR
Wed- Supper 5:30; bells 6; worship 7; choir 7:30
Thurs- nothing
Fri- nothing
Sat- worship 5pm
Sun- Bible Study 8; worship 9; worship 11am; (Don't forget that it is April Fool's Day)
________________________________________________________________________________________________
NEWS:
TONIGHT IS THE LAST MIDWEEK SUPPER AT 5:30 AND WORSHIP 7pm
Supper- 5:30--- FRIED CHICKEN, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, peaches, rolls, and dessert
Worship- 7pm- The Sanhedrin rail against Jesus. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________
LITTLE LAMBS REGISTRATION IS GOING ON RIGHT NOW FOR CURRENTLY ENROLLED FAMILIES AND CHURCH MEMBERS!!
A nonrefundable enrollment fee of $30 is required. Open enrollment for the whole community opens April 1.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
TRAVELING FELLOWSHIP GROUP GOING TO THE AMISH COMMUNITY OF ARTHUR, IL ON APRIL 21. Cost is $65 per person.
Sign up sheet in on the counter in the narthex or you can call Marilyn in the office to sign up. THERE ARE PLENTY OF SPOTS AVAILABLE!!!!! SIGN UP TODAY!!
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
STEWARDSHIP SPOLIGHT FOR THIS MONTH IS LUTHERAN HOUR MINISTRIES
LHM is a Christian outreach ministry supporting churches, missions, and ministry worldwide. The daily devotion above comes from LHM almost every day. If you wish to donate ot it please make a check out to LHM and put it in a specially designated envelope.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
BIBLE 101: A NEW ONLINE "INTRODUCTORY" BIBLE STUDY IS AVAILABLE FOR ALL MEMBERS OF ST JOHN'S!!!
Please call or reply to this email to let me know that you want to sign up for this wonderful opportunity. I will sign you up! The congregation has already paid the annual fee so IT IS FREE for you!!!
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PRAYERS: (If I have missed anyone please let me know.)
For PAUL TOEDEBUSCH who will be undergoing more treatments for cancer.
For KATHLEEN SHERMAN and her family as her dad passed away after a prolonged illness.
For LIBBY PAILER as she recovers at Mercy Rehab and will hopefully be able to go home on Sunday.
For DOLORES DEBLAZE as she is awaiting results from a biopsy which she will hopefully receive on Thursday
For JEANETTE KOEHLER who is recovering well at the Cedars.
For JONAS BORCHERT, grandson of Don Nolte, who continues to be up and down because of chemotherapy treatments.
