St. John's Lutheran ChurchWarrenton, MO: 10/18/12

DEVOTION: From Lutheran Hour Ministry

(Jesus said) "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.'" Matthew 25:41

Toward the end of September, I had the opportunity to speak at the LCMS Training and Equipping Conference for Prison and Jail Ministry.

While there I met many fascinating individuals and congregational representatives, who are doing great hands-on ministry for the 2.4 million prisoners in the U.S. It was interesting listening to these pioneers of prison ministry talk about maximum-security prisons, minimum-security facilities, and all kinds of prisons with all kinds of protection and precaution levels between these two.

Now, if I were given my druthers, I would prefer to stay out of all prisons, at least as a resident.

On the other hand, if I were going to be incarcerated, I think I'd like to be locked away at the only jail in American Samoa: the Territorial Correctional Facility. From recent news articles, that jail seems to have some perks that even America's minimum security jails lack.

Curious as to what they might be? I hope so, because I'm about to explain.

It appears the jailers, at least two of them, allowed the inmates out of prison to go buy beer and food. Apparently, it was a good arrangement: the criminals had their beer, and the guards ended up receiving potato chips and cookies.

The situation might have gone on unnoticed, if it weren't for the fact the prisoners didn't hide their contraband too well, and the jailers weren't very picky as to who they let go shopping. Apparently, the higher-ups took a dim view of letting out a man who is serving time for having attacked another individual with a machete. All of this explains why two of the guards have now become inmates in the Territorial Correctional Facility.

All of this takes me to the text for today's devotion. From what I've been told every prisoner has the hope that someday they will be released. Even though the judge has said they have "no possibility of parole," criminals still think some kind of weird circumstance or situation will give them their freedom.

Our text reminds us there is a prison from which there are no great escapes; there is no appeal; there are no retrials, and no clemency is ever accorded to those who are there. The Lord Jesus Himself refers to this prison as the place of "the eternal fire."

Thankfully, it is a prison to which no person need ever be sentenced.

Knowing the pain and suffering that awaits unsaved souls, the Lord sent His Son into this world to offer Himself as the ransom -- the payment -- which would offer clemency and forgiveness to all who were brought to faith in the Christ. To accomplish this job, which would grant forgiveness to a condemned world, Jesus lived a life of perfection and carried the sins we have committed. Then, when everything necessary to win our salvation had been accomplished, He allowed Himself to be nailed to a cross and die the death that should have been ours.

Isaiah 53:5 summed up Jesus' sacrifice by saying, "He was pierced for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with His wounds we are healed."

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, for giving Yourself to win my salvation, You have my eternal gratitude. By Your suffering and death I have been given complete freedom, forgiveness and salvation. May my life express my gratitude. In Your Name. Amen.
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TUESDAY'S QUIZ: In John chapter one, John uses the phrase "In the beginning was the Word." What/who is the Word John is referring to? JESUS
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THURSDAY'S QUIZ: What Gospels have the story of Christmas (Jesus' birth)?
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CATECHISM:

QUESTION: Why do you say that the Holy Spirit has done this by the Gospel?

ANSWER: The Gospel is the means by which the Holy Spirit offers us all the blessings of Christ and creates faith in us.

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CALENDAR:

Sat- HAYRIDE AND BONFIRE AT STARKS 5pm; worship 5pm

Sun- worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; worship 11am __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

NEWS:

A SPECIAL COMMITTEE IS BEING FORMED TO COME UP WITH A WAY TO SUPPORT A DCE (Director of Christian Education) who wold also be a music director here at St. John's.

If you are interested in serving in this way please call pastor asap.

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HAYRIDE AND BONFIRE!!!! MAKE PLANS TODAY TO JOIN US!!

Where? Ray and Kay Stark's property on Firetower Rd.

When? Saturday October 20, 5-9pm

Who? EVERYONE!! Bring friends!!

There will be hotdogs and marshmallows to roast and water and soda to drink! There will also be umpkinf ace painting for kids!!

Bring a flashlight, long sticks for raosting marshmallows and hotdogs, folding chairs for your family, and a blanket in case it is chilly!!

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HELP NEEDED FOR THE ALL HALLOWS EVE EVENT

As you all have probably heard about our "All Hallows Eve Chili & Hot Dog Supper" AND "Trunk or Treat" being held on Wednesday evening, October 31st at St. John's

We are asking for your help by donating any kind of bagged Halloween candy so we can assemble 160 bags of "treats" for our supper attendees!

Our Little Lambs Pre-School will be outside for the Trunk or Treat for the kids to visit as well.

We would also like to offer the little treat bags to those attending the chili and hot dog supper inside so it would really help if you all could bring some bags of candy to church the next 2 Saturdays/Sundays when you come to worship. We plan to assemble the bags on Monday, October 29th, so we need to have all the candy donations by no later than Sunday Oct. 28th.

We plan to assemble the bags on Monday, October 29th, so we need to have all the candy donations by no later than Sunday Oct. 28th.

We will put a box for the candy collection in the narthex marked "ALL HALLOWS EVE SUPPER". Our outreach ministry has helped many this year and being the end of the budget year, we will appreciate your help with the expenses of this event.

Thank you so much for your help in reaching out to the kids in our community to teach them more about Christ and how Halloween began in the first place and to fill their little tummies with goodies along with their hot dogs!

***Don't forget too that there is a pumpkin carving/decorating contest that night. 3 prize ribbons will be awarded for carved pumpkins that are brought to church ON Wed. Oct. 31 by 4 PM. The will be for: 1. The funniest 2. The scariest 3. The best

They will be used for centerpieces on the dinner tables!! You may take your pumpkins home with you after the event ends at 8 PM.

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CIRCUIT REFORMATION SERVICE ON SUNDAY OCTOBER 28 AT 2PM!!!!

St. John's is hosting our 2nd annual circuit wide Reformation service on Sunday, October 28!!! St Paul's, Jonesburg; St. Paul's, New Melle; Grace; Wellsville, Trinity, Wellsville; Christ, Augusta; Immanuel, Wentzville, and Trinity, Troy will all get together to join our voices and hearts in praising our Lord for His grace and truth which was exclaimed and brought back to the forefront during the Reformation!

Come and join with the rest of your Lutheran brothers and sisters in Christ as we celebrate!!

Toni Schwartz is leading a mass choir that day! The choir will practice at 1pm at church.

Call pastor at 359-1061 for more info!!

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TRUNK OR TREAT AND CHILI SUPPER ON HALLOWEEN AT CHURCH!!!

Come to church on Halloween???? Sounds kind of weird doesn't it? But, just so you know, that is where the best food, candy, and pumpkins are going to be! Come and hav esupper with us at 5pm and then go around to all of the trunks in the parking lot and fill your bags up with candy!!!

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VENDOR FAIR--- CHRISTMAS MARKET

Little Lambs is hosting a Vendor Fair on Saturday, December 1 from 8am-2pm.

This is for all of those folks who have home based (part time businesses) like Avon, Scentsy, tupperware etc.

First come, first reserve-- no duplicate vendors please.

$20 per booth/table (tables provided)

All proceeds go to building fund.

Please contact Lisa Rausch or Karin Klaustermeier at 456-2888 ext. 4 or email at lrausch@centurytel.net or karin.klaustermeier@hotmail.com

This is a great opportunity to get gifts for Christmas or to make a little extra cash to buy those gifts

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LITTLE LAMBS HAS A FEW OPENINGS IN BOTH THE THREE AND FOUR YEAR OLD CLASSES!! THEY ARE EXPANDING!!

Call the church office 456-2888 and ask to talk to Lisa Rausch or Karin Klaustermeier for further info.

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SUNDAY MORNING FELLOWSHIP REFRESHMENT SIGN UP!!

We need folks to sign up to bring donuts!! Please sign up on the sheet on the bulletin board right outside the kitchen!! If you partake of the donuts every week and haven't brought any, maybe it's your turn!!

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PARENTING CLASS EVERY SUNDAY AT 9:45
Could you use some help in learning how to deal with your children? Want to have fun, laugh, and get some encouragement at the same time? Come to the "From Me to We" class in the Sunday school room closest to the closet this Sunday and grow!
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STEWARDSHIP SPOLIGHT FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER IS PATRIOT PACKAGES
As we all know, our military forces are still spread throughout the world. Many of our loved ones are deployed and arond the world and on bases throughout our own country. Ptriot Packages, formerly known as G4U "Goodies for You" is a small yet effective way that we can care for all those men and women in a very real and practical way. A group of people get together once a month to fill care packages to send out. These packages have very specific items that these soldiers request, that are scarce or nonexistent where they are.

What they need from us is money so that they can buy the specific items they need. As always, make checks payable to St. John's and in the memo line write "patriot Packages". Also, as always, this should be above and beyond your regular offerings.

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PRAYERS:

For GENE SIEBOLD who is dealing with shortness of breath and was hospitalized this past week.

For PAUL OBIHAUS, son of Shirley Schmidt, who has been diagnosed with colon cancer.

For JEANETTE KOEHLER, who is recovering at Troy Nursing Home from an amputaed toe.

For WALT SCHIRR, as he will be undergoing surgery to take care of his balance issues and his vertigo.

For JOYCE SCHIEN who iis back at Delmar Gardens still recovering from pneumonia.

For MARILYN FOSTER'S NIECE, HEATHER. She has a very rare spine condition, which has resulted in a spinal fluid leak. They are trying for the 2nd time to do a "blood patch" to stop the leak. Yesterdays try was unsuccessful and they are going to try again today. The only specialist in the US that treats these conditions is out of town until next week, the doctor that is caring for her has only done 1 of these before.

For CHRISTIAN WENZEL, art teacher at Blackhawk Middle School, who fell out of his tree stand while deer hunting on Saturday and broke his sternum and many ribs. He has many things wrong with him and is in critical condition in the hospital.

For the FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF 11 YEAR OLD ALURA WINEBARGER, who passed away this past Sunday morning from complication of the Flu.

For MARY SUE TOEDEBUSCH as she recovers from a very bad infection and as she continues to deal with very bad rheumatoid arthritis and other health troubles.

For BOB LAMPEN, Karin Klaustermeier's dad, as he begins a new chemotherapy treatment next Week.

For ED, neighbor to the Fosters, who found out he has cancer.

For STEVE, a friend of Tony and Sandra Perricone, who is a husband, and a father of 2 and is undergoing tests for fluid on the brain.

For JOSIAH TULEY, great nephew of DIANNE HANCE'S friend Cindy Schwada. Josiah is about 2 years old, a beautiful blonde with sparkling blue eyes. This baby has a tumor
on his brain.

For DON TURNURE who is going to have to have his hip replaced on October 22.

St. John's Lutheran Church
Warrenton, MO

prayer request for Peggy Talbert

prayer request for Jill Jacobsmeyer

Thursday, October 18, 2012

Reformation Service volunteers UPDATE

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