Thursday, May 30, 2013

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries By Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour®

"A New Lease" May 30, 2013 If a man dies, shall he live again? ... Job 14:14a ~ Nicodemus said to him, "How can a man be born when he is old? ..." John 3:4a The questions of both Job and Nicodemus are probably rhetorical; that is, they didn't really expect to receive an answer. They didn't expect an answer because the answer to both questions is obvious: if you're dead, you're not going to live again -- at least not in this world. If you're old, it's impossible for you to be physically reborn. Even so, 34-year-old Brighton Dama Zanthe of Gweru, Zimbabwe, may not think those questions are all that rhetorical. Let me share a bit of his story. Zanthe had been sick for a long time. Eventually, the time came when he "shuffled off this mortal coil." The coroner was called, and he was declared dead. His mourning family made the necessary funeral arrangements. Zanthe's funeral was all perfectly normal, until some of the folks at the service noticed his legs were still twitching. The funeral was instantly stopped, and Zanthe was rushed to Gweru Provincial Hospital where a skilled medical team, not surprisingly, overturned the coroner's report. In an interview with the local papers, Zanthe claims he can only remember being sick at home and then waking up in the hospital. Regretfully, he doesn't recall any of the fine and complimentary things the people said at his funeral. Looking back at what has happened, Zanthe says, "I was given another chance, and now I am alive." Now I have to confess, Zanthe wasn't totally and completely dead as Job talked about ... and he really wasn't born again the way Nicodemus meant. Still, Zanthe's "almost death" and "almost re-birth" is just about as close to a second lease on life as any of us are likely to get. Although the article doesn't say so, I would imagine Zanthe will be seeing and living his life in a different way. By that I mean some of the things that once seemed important are now inconsequential, and that which was insignificant is now of prime importance. It's a shame it often takes an emergency, a tragedy, or a death before our priorities get reordered. I pray that is not the case for you and that your loyalty is first and foremost to the Savior, whose life was given so you might have life. On the other hand, if you have a few items which might need to be tweaked, the story of Zanthe's almost death and almost rebirth might just give you the inspiration you need. In other words, Brighton's second chance might be yours as well. THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, in gratitude to my Savior, today's prayer asks that You will create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. In the Savior's Name. Amen.

 

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WEDNESDAY'S QUIZ:

Fill in the blank from Ecclesiastes.....  As good increase,_________________________.

 

"SO do those who consume them."    (Good job Pam!)

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THURSDAY'S QUIZ: (Another fill in the blank)  Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this:  __________________________.

 

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CALENDAR

Sat- Men's breakfast 8am; worship 5pm

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

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NEW BIBLE STUDY on JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES BEGINS THIS SUNDAY AT 9:45am!!

Have you ever wondered what Jehovah's Witnesses truly believe and why we are so against them?  Do you want to be able to actually invite them in and witness to them?  Then come to our Bible class starting this Sunday at 9:45 to learn everything there is to know!

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MEN'S BREAKFAST HAS BEEN SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY, JUNE 1 AT 8am!!

Come and enjoy a hearty breakfast, fellowship, and Bible Study as we grow together as men in the faith!  We would like to get a good head count of who will be there, so please RSVP by replying to this email!  Thanks! 

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LITTLE LAMBS SUMMER CAMP

Our Little Lambs is offering four week long summer camps this summer for 3-5 year olds.  You may call the church office this week for more info or to register.  The first week of camp is June 3-7!!  Call 456-2888 for more info!!

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VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL   "TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN"  WILL BE JULY 8-12!!!

Kid friendly dinner is served at 5:30.  Fun and festivities begin at 6pm and go to 8pm!

 

Every family has received as flyer in their church newsletter to give to a friend.  Make sure you use it!!

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GOLF OUTING  (4 person scramble) TO SUPPORT LITTLE LAMBS IS SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY MORNING AUGUST 10th. 

$60 per person includes- 2 mulligans, Special hole contests, Cash prizes by flight, Lunch with pork steaks and sides.

7am- Registration begins

8am- Shotgun start

1pm Lunch and awards

 

$15 per person for Lunch only

 

Hole Sponsorship (tee box sign) $50 per hole

 

Entry flyers with all of the details are available in the narthex or  the office!!

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BOEING COMPANY PROLOGUE ROOM TOUR

An opportunity for adults and teens to have a guided tour of the Prologue Room with Ned Koprowski.  This tour is on Friday, June 28th.  We will leave the church parking lot at noon and carpool.  Reservations are required for the tour.  Plans are to have dinner somewhere after the tour.  Please sign the sheet in the narthex by Sunday, June 16 so that we can make the required reservation.

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Habitat for Humanity project day June 15!

Habitat for Humanity, St. Charles, along with corporate sponsor Thrivent Builds, has scheduled the volunteers from St. John's Lutheran Church and the Warrenton community for a work day on Saturday, June 15.

Approximately  6  people from Warrenton will be needed to help install doors, windows, and siding.  Lunch and beverages will be provided.  In addition to our volunteers, we will be paired up with Immanuel Lutheran Church, Wentzville, to get a full crew.

Please contact Ron Harper, the Habitat volunteer coordinator, if you are able to participate on Saturday, June 15 from 8:00am-3:30pm. 
Ron Harper's contacts:              (H)  636-300-1633

                                                (C)  314-420-6512

Directions to site:             I-70 to US 79 South  ( 79 turns into Birdie Hills south of Mexico Rd.)

                                                Go past the Church on the Rock

                                                Turn Right on Eisenhower

                                                Left on Nixon

                                                Left on Clinton and look for the construction area.

If using GPS, use the house across the street at 113 Clinton.

Thank you for helping.

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OKLAHOMA TORNADO RELIEF

The LCMS asks for prayers and financial gifts to help those affected by the disaster.  The needs are going to be huge.  TO support the relief efforts, you may send your contributions directly to the LCMS or make it easier for you, make checks payable to St. John's and mark it "Oklahoma Tornado" and it will be forwarded. 

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PRAYER REQUESTS:

For ROSETTA JONES who is back in the nursing home because of severe weakness.

 

Prayer of thanksgiving for RUTH YOCUM who is recovering well after suffering two broken legs earlier this year and spending much time in rehab for that.

 

 For LIL WINTER'S GRANDDAUGHTER'S FRIEND, who has G J D which is Protein in her brain drying up. Its like Alzheimer's but it's much faster. She is 34 yrs. old with 3 children, the oldest is 8 yrs. old. They say she will die within 6 mos.  

 

For those in Oklahoma who continue to recover after a devastating tornado and those who are laying to rest those who died as a result of it.

 

For DANNY DREYER who will be leaving for Germany tomorrow to begin his service as a 2nd Lieutenant in charge of a platoon.

 

For KARIN, GUS and CARA as they fly back home from NY today. .

 

For PAT KING'S COUSIN whose surgery was postponed due to heart palpitations and irregular heartbeat.

 

For PAUL TOEDEBUSCH, who will be having surgery June 14 to remove his bladder due to cancer

For RICK SPINIOLAS who has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and will be beginning chemotherapy on Monday. 

For NANCY SPINIOLAS, his wife, who is dealing with severe back pain due to many years of using an artificial leg.

For RALPH SPOEDE who is dealing with cancer in both his kidney and in his brain. 

For DOMINIC GENTILE, a friend to many at church and in the community, who is suffering with brain cancer and is recovering from surgery.

For JONAS BORCHERT, grandson of Don Nolte, and Pat King's cousin on your prayers today as well. .   

 

PRAYERS FOR OUR SERVICEMEN

I have been compiling a list of servicemen who are members of St John's so that we can pray for them.  Below is a list of them and where they are currently stationed.  Please note that their stationing changes quickly, so this may not even be up to date, but it is the last known whereabouts that I have of these guys. 
 
Danny Dreyer-  Army- 2nd Lieutenant- Ranger, Ft. Benning, Georgia.
 
Sam Hargrove- Army- 2 Lieutenant- Ft Rucker, Alabama, will be going through helicopter flight school and other training
 
David Mincemeyer- Army- Army Specialist- Ft. Carson, CO
 
Jon Rahn- Navy- Hawaii, not sure of his rank at this time
 
David Tate- Air Force- 2nd Lieutenant- Jacksonville, Florida
 
Alex Walters- Navy- E4- Guam
 
Ryan Woolf- Air Force- Airman 1st Class- Buckley Air Force Base, near Denver, CO
 
 
If there are more out there that I just don't know about, please let me know, and I will include him/her on the list.
 
Also, if you would like your family member or friend included in this list, please reply to this email with all the information!
 
 
Pray for these guys.  Some of these guys are in harm's way right now, others are training to put themselves in harm's way.  All of them have volunteered to serve and protect their country (which is you). 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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