St. John's Lutheran ChurchWarrenton, MO: 12/05/13

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

Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).

"A Higher Love"
December 5, 2013
And this is His commandment, that we believe in the Name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as He has commanded us. 1 John 3:23
Scrooge isn't the only one who has said, "Bah! Humbug! Christmas!"

The American Humanist Association (AHA) has echoed that sentiment with letters sent to public schools that were participating in a program called "Operation Christmas Child." The program, run by Samaritan's Purse -- an evangelical relief organization founded by the son of Billy Graham -- delivers Christmas toys to poor children.

Since 1993 that organization has collected and given over 100 million boxes of toys to kids who live in poverty.

Apparently, the AHA thinks this is a bad thing.

But maybe I'm being unfair. The letter AHA sent to the state schools said their support of the toy drive was "unconstitutional," a violation of the separation of church and state, and against the government's mandate not to endorse a religion. Then, to make sure it had made its point, the AHA said it would sue those schools if they didn't drop out of the program.

Now I'm sure the kids weren't aware their schools were in violation of all those laws. In all probability the children thought they were helping Samaritan's Purse offer a kindness to children who have less than they do.

Well, thanks to the AHA that's not going to happen anymore.

The same day it received AHA's letter, South Carolina's East Point Academy said it would sever its relationship with Samaritan's Purse. The school decided to do this because it was motivated by "an abundance of caution because we do not want to expend school financial resources defending a lawsuit."

Now if I read all this correctly, the bottom line to AHA's action is this: 1) the letter of the law will be enforced and 2) some poor children will not have much, if anything, under their Christmas trees.

My sainted Grandmother had an expression to describe such a situation. She would have said, "The AHA has thrown the baby out with the bathwater." It may have been trying to do a good thing by sending out those letters and making its threats, but the result is a pretty sad thing.

It's possible that, in this instance, there may be another law, a higher law, a law which the AHA doesn't recognize. We Christians call it the law of love, and it covers a multitude of sins.

It is the kind of love which saw Jesus heal on the Sabbath, the kind of love which saw the innocent die for the guilty, the kind of love which saw God's Son be sacrificed so we might be saved.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, in the Person of Jesus, we have been given our Savior and salvation. Because of the salvation He has won, we who were poor have been made rich. May our actions and our giving this Christmas season show our thankful hearts. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour^®
Lutheran Hour Ministries

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660 Mason Ridge Center Dr.
St. Louis, MO 63141
1-800-876-9880
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WEDNESDAY'S QUIZ: (A little bit harder question for today and one that you will have to go outside of the Bible text to find an answer to.) When was the second letter to the Corinthians written?

An excellent answer from Dianne Hance: *The available evidence indicates that the year A.D. 55 is a reasonable estimate for the writing of this letter.
From 1 Co 16:5-8 we conclude that 1 Corinthians was written from Ephesus before Pentecost (Spring) and
that 2 Corinthians was written later that same year before the onset of winter. 2Co2:13; 7:5 indicate that it
was written from Macedonia

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THURSDAY'S QUIZ: According to 2 Corinthians 11, what does Paul have to boast about?
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CALENDAR
Sat- Vendor, Craft and Bake Sale 9-3; Clark/Jordan Wedding 2pm; worship 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school and adult Bible class 9:45; elders meeting at noon
and give it. If it is money, then money, if it is food, then food, if it is prayer, then prayer, if it is forgiveness, then forgiveness. Whatever it is, give it today!!
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CRAFT SALE, BAKE SALE, and VENDOR FAIR THIS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7, 9-3!!!!

Come and get your Christmas shopping done and get some goodies to eat at the same time!!!
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AVENUE OF SAINTS LAST SUNDAY IS THIS SUNDAY AT 11am!!

Bill Rowe, the guitar player for Avenue of Saint, is moving and so they won't be around to play for our worship service anymore. Your last chance to see them and hear them lead us in worship is this Sunday at the 11am service.

Come and sing some good Christmas songs and wish Bill and Corey God's blessings on their new endeavors

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MEN'S BREAKFAST CHANGED TO THE 14th!!!!
Since the Fair and Sale is going on this Saturday we are changing men's breakfast and Bible Study to the 14th. Please get the word out and invite your friends and neighbors.
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MANY OF YOU STILL NEED TO BUY YOUR BOOKS FOR THE STORY!!!
The beginning of THE STORY is just a month away!! Are you excited? Do you have your books yet?

Adults may buy their books for $6 a piece before or after worship!!

Kids will get their books at Sunday school, but if they miss Sunday school they can get them after worship as well!!!

There are about 70 adult books left. Get them while they are still available!!
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BRING SQUEEZABLE JELLY (all flavors are acceptable) FOR OPERATION BACKPACK FOR THE MONTH OF DECEMBER!!
Please put them in the proper receptacle either upstairs or downstairs.
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GIVING TREE IS UP!!
There are 18 families who need help this Christmas. 57 kids need gifts! Come to church this Wednesday or this weekend and take an ornament or two!
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THE STORY: AN EXCITING NEW EXPERIENCE FOR OUR WHOLE CONGREGATION!!
What is it? THE STORY is a book compiled and written by Max Lucado and Randy Frazee, which takes sections of the Bible and divides it up into 31 chapters and adds commentary and study notes to it. The best way to describe it is to call it a Reader's Digest condensed version of the Bible. It is not split up into chapters and verses but reads more like a novel, and it doesn't include every bit of the Bible, but most of the main sections and stories.

How will it work? As a family and as individual members of the congregation you will each get a copy of the book. There are different versions for adults, teens, older elementary age and younger children. You will get these and read chapter 1 before January 5. Each week we will go through a chapter of the book in every part of the church's life: in Worship, Bible Studies, Confirmation and in the Home for personal devotions.

Why are we doing this? This is a great opportunity for all of us to read through the Bible TOGETHER in 31 weeks and for us to all literally be on the same page. The materials are excellent. It is a fantastic way for us to grow together as a church and or us to reach out to the community with the Gospel!

What about special weeks like Holy Week and Easter? We will take several weeks off throughout these eight months, one for Life Sunday in January, one for Easter and another two or three when I am going to be gone for Spring Break and other vacations. A specific schedule will be coming out in the next week or so.

How do we get the books? Each adult will be asked to buy a book for $6. A table will be set up in the narthex to buy them before and after services for the next several weeks or you can call Marilyn in the office at 456-2888 to purchase your during the week.

What about the kids? All children will receive a copy that is age appropriate courtesy of the Janet Wagner fund. There will be a table set up for the next several weeks for adults to buy books. Kids will get theirs in Sunday school .

What kind of help is needed to make this a success? We have several volunteers already to sell books, but could use a few more to sell before and after services until everyone who wants a copy of the book has one.    I would also like someone, a man or a woman, who would be willing to lead a study of it during the week.

Can I order books for family members who are not members? There will also be an order form for those of you who want to buy books for your children, grandchildren, relatives, and friends. PLEASE NOTE THAT PRICES WILL FLUCTUATE ON FUTURE ORDERS DUE TO PRICE CHANGES WITH BOOK DISTRIBUTORS AND PUBLISHING HOUSES.

Where can I go to get more info? Please go to www.thestory.com for more info.

PRAYER REQUESTS:

For Marilyn Foster's sister MARCIE, who is recovering from major back surgery to remove a cyst from around her spinal cord and around some metal that she already has in her back.

For WILMA WEIGLE who is in the hospital once again.

For JONAS BORCHERT, grandson of Don Nolte, who is dealing with bad cancer in his lungs.

For RICK SPINIOLAS as he continues to battle his pancreatic cancer.

For JOYCE PIETZSCHKE who is recovering from a fractured shoulder.

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St. John's Lutheran Church
Warrenton, MO

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