Thurs. Jan 31, 2013

DEVOTION:  And he took the calf they had made and burned it in the fire; then he ground it to powder, scattered it on the water and made the Israelites drink it.  Exodus 32:20   What do you think the water tasted like?  That is the first question I had when I read this passage.  It had to taste pretty nasty.  But didn't the Israelites deserve it?  Actually they deserved much more.  The Lord had just gotten them out of Egypt, and He was giving them His ten commandments when they decided, already that the Almighty God just wasn't enough.  They decided what god they would worship and left the real and true God out of it.    If I were God, or even Moses, I'd be pretty mad too, but if I were God I would have gone a lot further.  I would have probably annihilated every one of them.  I would not have had the mercy that God had.  I would not have given them grace like God did.    Over and over again God compares the idolatry of the Israelites to adultery.  It is as if every time they turn to other gods they are cheating on God.  And really they are.    Did you ever think of yourself that way?  Every time you turn to something else or someone else other than the true and Almighty God you are indeed "cheating" on God.  When God says that He is a "jealous" God He isn't lying.  He really can't stand it when you turn aside to the right or the left instead of simply following, listening to, believing, and trusting in Him.    Yet, because God is ALL MERCIFUL.  He keeps from destroying you as your unfaithfulness deserves.  Instead He gives you more grace.  He fills you with His Spirit.  He forgives your sins and brings you to eternal life.    What is your response to His love?  Forgiving others!  That's it.  Pass it on!  Give the love and forgiveness of Christ to all who need it!  Tell others that they are forgiven, especially if they have sinned against you, but even if they haven't sinned directly against you, they still need to know they are forgiven.  Do it!   Prayer:  Lord God, I don't deserve your mercy.  I deserve eternal punishment.  Yet you forgive me by your eternal mercy and grace.  Thank you!  Amen.   _____________________________________________________________________________________ TUESDAY'S QUIZ: What was the Mercy Seat for the tabernacle?  Mercy-seat was pounded from one piece of gold.  The seat had symbolic figures with wings on each end.  Romans 3 says God presents Christ as the "antitypical Mercy-seat."   Thank you Dianne! __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ THURSDAY'S QUIZ: Who made the golden calf? __________________________________________________________________________________ CALENDAR: Sat- Gene Siebold's visitation 9:30-10:30. Memorial service 10:30, lunch to follow at at Immanuel, Wentzville. worship 5pm Sun- worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; worship 11am  __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ NEWS:     SUNDAY SCHOOL HAS STARTED A NEW EXCITING AND FUN CURRICULUM CALLED "CROSS EXPLORATIONS". If your kids have been neglecting Sunday school for a while consider coming back as it has changed quite a bit!!  It is in more of a VBS format with science experiments, hands on activities and lots of fun!!!  This coming week they are going to be learning about blubber gloves!!  There are also several servant events being planned for the near future!  The kids who are there are seriously missing their friends!!!  We'll see you Sunday! _______________________________________ A NEW ADULT BIBLE CLASS IS STARTING THIS SUNDAY AT 9:45!!! A video based Bible study by Ken Ham, founder of Answers in Genesis and the Creation Museum, will begin this coming Sunday.  It begins with a study on the "Relevance of Genesis".  Each study is about a half hour of video followed by a half hour of discussion.  If you have been neglecting Bible study for a while, because of the subject matter, or for whatever reason, please consider coming back and joining us!  You won't be disappointed!  __________________________________________ BABY BOTTLES FOR ADOPTION  Did you know that it can often take $20,000 or more to adopt a child.  That makes it very hard for most people.    Yet you can help those who are trying to adopt!  Baby bottle banks were handed out yesterday to do just that.  For the next two weeks we will be filling up those bottles with all the change we can find and even putting in paper money too.  On February 10 we will collect all of those bottles at church and then forward the money to our Lutherans for Life Chapter so the money can be used to help those wishing to adopt children.    If you would like a bottle but didn't get one yesterday, you can stop by church any day this week between 8 and 4:30.  If you don't have time this week, you can still collect the money and get a bottle to put it in this coming weekend!    A big thanks to Denise Schlesselmann for volunteering collect these monies and take it all to LFL in St. Charles! ______________________________________________________________ YOUTH GROUP STEAK DINNER AND AUCTION IS LESS THAN TWO WEEKS AWAY!! Mark your calendars for Saturday, February 9 at 6:30 pm, with doors opening at 6pm. Everyone is welcome to attend!   The youth will be selling tickets after church after church the rest of this month so get yours as soon as you can.  Every year is more exciting than the last, so don't miss out on a good time while helping the youth in their ministry!!  If you have any questions about ticket, please call Barb Hargrove at 456-2235, or Christy Winn at 314-479-5543! ____________________________________________________ TRAVELING FELLOWSHIP GROUP  (TFG) IS GOING TO THE CREATION MUSEUM IN CINCINNATI!!!  A great time is planned for August 23-25 as we head to the Creation Museum just south of Cincinnati, Ohio.  We will be making a stop at the Abraham Lincoln National Historic Site in Kentucky on the way.  Along with the creation museum on Saturday, we will also enjoy a comedy on the Showboat majestic in the evening.  On Sunday we will tour the national museum of the US Air Force in Dayton, Ohio.  As usual, cost will depend on the number of people going.  As of now it should run about $350 per person, plus meals, or $506 a couple.  If you are interested in this trip, please sign the sheet on the counter in the narthex.  Again you may invite your friends and family to join us. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ PRAYERS:  For SAM HARGROVE as he is commissioned this week as a 2nd Lieutenant and as he begins flight school to become a Blackhawk helicopter pilot.   For the FAMILY AND FRIENDS of GENE SIEBOLD, as he passed from death to life Monday afternoon.   For VERNON HEICHELBECH who is back at the nursing home recovering from pneumonia. For JEANETTE KOEHLER who at The CEDARS nursing home in Chesterfield.     For ANITA ALTHEIDE, a friend of the Klaustermeiers, who has been put on hospice care.   For MIKE WADE, a missionary St. Johns has sponsored for at least 12 years, as he has had to take leave because of severe migraine headaches.   For JASON FIGURA that God would keep him safe as he has to work on the east coast and be away from his family.   For RUTH WALTERS BROTHER, as he is undergoing tests for heart problems.     For KIM, a friend of the Robines who undergoing a very difficult pregnancy.

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