DEVOTION: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1
It was quiet in the Ardennes on Sunday, December 16th, 1944.
People were preparing for their first, free Christmas since the Nazis had been run out. It was then that hundreds of German artillery pieces opened up on American positions. Two-hundred-and-fifty-thousand German soldiers marched in; one thousand tanks rolled in. On the 22nd the Germans called for the surrender of Bastogne by General A.C. McAuliffe. History records his simple reply: "Nuts!"
History has almost ignored the words of a young soldier from the South, who was also in Bastogne.
Being a relatively new replacement, you might expect him to be shaking in his boots. He wasn't. He seemed so calm that one of his comrades asked him something like, 'You do know the Krauts have us completely surrounded, don't you?"
"Yup," came back the reply. "I feel sorry for 'em."
"What do you mean you feel sorry for them? We're the ones who are surrounded."
"Yup, but if'n I understand correctly, this is the fust time in this war we kin attack the enemy in any which way we want."
I like the spirit of that fellow.
You know, when I look at the world, I sometimes feel like the Christian Church is surrounded by enemies, all of whom are calling for us to surrender. On one side there are those who deny and challenge Scripture; over there are the persecuting members of other religions; on that side are those preachers who make up false doctrine as they go along.
It seems like those who are followers of the Christ can go in any direction they want, and they will end up witnessing to the Savior. If that's the case -- and I believe it is -- we ought to remember the words of Scripture that serve as our text.
God is our refuge. He is our strength. He is our help.
No matter what enemy comes up against us, we who have been saved by Jesus Christ, who have been given faith in Him, are not alone. God has promised to be with us. Even more, we have His assurance no matter what happens on the spiritual battlefields of this world, we will be given the final -- the ultimate -- victory.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, there are days when we feel surrounded by great and menacing forces. Grant us to know that in Jesus we are conquerors, indeed, more than conquerors. Then, reassured and fortified, let us do the work You have entrusted to us. In the Savior's Name. Amen. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: How long did Saul reign over Israel? 42 years 1 Samuel 13:1 (Dianne Hance retains her 1st place status)____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________TODAY'S QUIZ: How did King Saul die? _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ CATECHISM First article: I believe in God, teh Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and eart.Question: What does this mean?
Answer: I believe that God has made me and all creatures; that He has given me my body and soul, eyes, ears, and all my members, my reason and all my senses, and still takes care of them.
He also gives me clothing and shoes, food and drink, house and home, wife and children, land, animals, and all I have. he richly and daily provides me with all that I need to support this body and life.
He defends me against all danger and guards and protects me from all evil.
Al lthis He does only out of Fatherly divine good ness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me. For all this it is my duty to thank and praise, serve and obey him. This is most certainly true.
________________________________________________________________________________________________CHURCH CALENDAR Thurs- Jonesburg nursing home worship 10:30; worship 7pm
Fri- worship 7pm
Sat- NO WORSHIP
Sun- sunrise worship 6:30am; breakfast 7:30am; Egg hunt 9am; worship 10:30am
________________________________________________________________________________________________NEWS: HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE Holy Thursday- 7pm Good Friday- 7pm Resurrection Sunday- 6:30 worship; 7:30 breakfast; 9 Egg Hunt; 10:30 worship ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ LITTLE LAMBS REGISTRATION IS FULL FOR THE 4 YEAR OLD CLASS There is still room in the three year old class. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ ALPHA CLASS IS OPEN TO EVERYONE, BOTH MEMBERS AND NONMEMBERS, BOTH THOSE WHO ARE OLD CHRISTIANS AND THOSE WHO HAVE NEVER EVEN HEARD OF JESUS!!!There are still spots left to sign up for the ALPHA class, but not too many. It is a class for those who are new to the Bible and Christianity (making it a perfect opportunity for outreach and evangelism. but it is also good for the seasoned Christian to review and to grow in the faith. Many of the questions you have alway had but have been afraid to ask will be answered. Please call Sandy Robine to sign up TODAY! 456-4061. Or email snsrobine@centurytel.net. It starts Tuesday night April 17!!!______________________________________________________________________________________________________________THE WHOLE CONGREGATION CAN SIGN UP TO HELP TO WORK FOR TORNADO RELIEF IN INDIANA AND KENTUCKY Go to
https://lcc.ccbchurch.com/w_form_response.php?form_id=697 and fill out the form. A report of your signing up will come directly to my email.
SInce there aren't a whole lot of Sr Hi kids signing up for it, I have decided to open it up to the whole congregation.
The dates we are going are Sunday, July 8- Saturday July 14. We will leave after church on Sunday and return on Saturday in the erly afternoon.
We will be staying at Camp Lakeview, a Lutheran camp just south of Indianapolis. Check it out at
http://www.camplakeview.com/.
If you need any mor einfo before you sign up, you know where I am 636-359-1061.
___________________________________________________________________________________________HELP TO FEED HUNGRY KIDS IN WARREN COUNTY WITH OPERATION BACKPACKIn the preschool room there is a box that you can put food in to feed extremely low income children in Warren County. Many of these kids get fed every day at school for breakfast and lunch, but what about the weekend? What the food listed below does for many of these children is gets them through the weekend when food is especially scarce. If you want more information about this program or you want to donate money to this causeyou can call Erin Waters at 359-9219 or email her at erinwaters@centurytel.net. Here is the list of food you can bringcereal (single serve sizes)oatmeal (instant packets)hot chocolate mixjuice boxespeanut butterjelly (squeezable bottles)soupspaghettios or beefaronimac and cheesecorngreen beansgranola barsfruit snackspudding cupraisin boxesapplesauce cupsfruit cupscereal bardspretzelsindividually wrapped crackers or cookiesbread___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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!!! _____________________________________________________________________________________________________
PRAYERS: (If I have missed anyone please let me know.)
For PAUL TOEDEBUSCH who will be undergoing more treatments for cancer.
For LIBBY PAILER as she continues to recover well at home from heart surgery.
For DOLORES DEBLAZE as she deals with chemo treatments for stage four lung cancer.
For CAL TAMELER as he continues to recover after eye surgery.
For JEANETTE KOEHLER who is recovering well at the Cedars.
For JONAS BORCHERT, grandson of Don Nolte, who is improving well and is gaining strength as he deals with his cancer.
