Mon. Mar. 10 , 2014

DEVOTION: (I enjoyed this one from Portals of Prayer this morning.  Of course I am kinda biased, but still it is spot on.)
"And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach."  Mark 3:14
 
Sometimes, we are less than enamored with our pastors.  Pastors are sinner, and sinners are imperfect.  We find it hard to look past their imperfections.  They are, after all, just men.
 
But there is something different about our pastors, something that sets them apart.  THey are not different in the sense that they are better or more valued than we are, but the Lord has placed them in an office to serve us, to shepherd us, to protect us from those things that would harm us, to show us Jesus.
 
Just as the Lord chose men to be his apostles, so also today the Lord picks men for the Office of Holy Ministry, placing them in a vocation that bears his authority with it.  In and by him, these men pronounce forgiveness of sins, administer his sacraments, deliver his Word, listen, counsel, console, and comfort the sheep in their care. 
 
A pastor's vocation is a weighty one, and the devil particularly preys on pastors.  They are in need of our prayers.  Your pastor isn't perfect.  He will mess up.  He is sure to disappoint you.  But the Lord has placed him in your life for your benefit, for your protection, for your good.  He is there to stand in Christ's stead... for you. 
 
Dear Jesus, we give thanks that you have instituted the pastor office, that men might deliver your gifts of life and forgiveness to us on your behalf.  Amen.

 
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THURSDAY'S QUIZ:  What was the name of the other daughter in law of Naomi? Orpah (not Oprah)

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MONDAY'S QUIZ: What was Ruth's father in law's name?

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CALENDAR:

Mon- Confirmation 5-6pm

Tues-  Quilters 9-2; Bible Study 11:30-12:15

Wed-  Supper 5:30; Worship 6:30

Fri- Bible Study and Fellowship at Hendershots 7pm
Sat- NO BIBLE CLASS at 4pm; worship 5pm;
Sun- worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school and Adult Bible Class 9:45
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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS COMING WEEKEND
Acolytes- 8:30- Patrick Schaumberg; 11- Ryan Spoede
Altar guild- Set up- Cheri' Hofeldt; Clean up- Sandy Robine
Greeters- 8:30- Don and Donna Sherman; 11- Dan and Lisa Rausch
Communion Assistants- Sat Rich Talbert; 8:30- John Hachtel; 11- Dave Winter
Lay Readers- Sat- Marcia Sevier; 8:30- Sandra Perricone;  11am- Sophie TInnin
Sat. Pianist- Tim Sherman
8:30 Ushers- Dave Winter, Gary Scott, Larry Schulze, Scott Schulze

Projectors- NO PROJECTORS THIS WEEK!!
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NEWS:

YOUTH MEETING AT 5PM TONIGHT!!

Christy Winn would like as many parents and kids as possible to meet to go through "thank yous" for the Steak Dinner and auction and also to discuss any changes/ additions that need to be made. 

 

Confirmation will only go from 5:30-6 as tonight is also freshman orientation at the high school for all incoming 8th graders. 

 

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THANKS TO THE BOYS WHO CAME TO HELP CLEAN UP THE HIGHWAY YESTERDAY!!
Thank you, Conrad Schaumberg, Patrick Schaumberg, Oliver Landwehr, and Conner Figura

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WEDNESDAY'S MENU AND WORSHIP TEXT:

Chili and all the fixin's, hotdogs, and dessert

 

Come and hear David's Psalm 32:1-7  "Blessed is the one whose transgression is FORGIVEN!"
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CHILDREN'S EDUCATION INITIATIVE

The Children’s Education Initiative is seeking to place an amendment on the November ballot that would allow people to receive a Missouri state tax credit for donations made to nonprofit corporations that provide funds to improve programs in public school districts, provide scholarships for students to attend parochial K-12 schools, or support special education services for children.

Our first task is to gain sufficient signatures to place the amendment on the ballot for voters to decide.  More information and particulars about the amendment are available at www.ceimissouri.org or www.mo.lcms.org.   This is a great way to provide tax credits to individuals and companies while enhancing the K-12 education of children in Missouri.  Our Lutheran schools would use the foundation monies to provide financial assistance to families, thereby making our Lutheran schools accessible for more children.

     More information will be shared on March 9th.  If you are a registered voter, please stop by the table in the Welcome Center in the following weeks to sign the petition.  You are not voting for the amendment but simply placing it on the ballot so that you and other voters can decide in November.   

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LITTLE LAMBS ENROLLMENT IS OPEN FOR ST. JOHN'S MEMBERS AND FAMILIES!!!
There is a $30 nonrefundable registration fee.  Students must be 3 or 4 years old by Aug 1.  Enrollment for the community will begin April 1.  For more info call Lisa Rausch or Karin Klaustermeier.
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PASTOR NEEDS SPONSORS FOR HIS BIKE ACROSS KANSAS!!
I will be biking across part of Kansas, about 250 miles in all, on June 7-9 to raise money for Leadachild.org.  Lead a Child is a LCMS recognized service organization that provides funding for kids to attend schools, many of them Christian schools, in third world countries.  It has provided A LOT for ministries and missions to help kids who would otherwise have NO EDUCATION in places like Guatemala, Kenya, Uganda, Mexico, and many other places.  Please consider supporting me so that we can continue to support children throughout the world!  As of January 1, I am also on the board of directors for this organization.
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BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK:  TAKING A BREAK FROM THE STORY FOR A WEEK!!!
Pasto Terry Grund will be here to preach and lead Bible study!  He will be having a Bible study on one of the regular readings for this weekend

Old Testament- Genesis 12:1-9

Epistle- Romans 4:1-8 and 13-17

Gospel- John 3:1-17

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PRAYER REQUESTS:  (If you have a prayer request please reply to this email or call me at 636-359-1061)

For SCOTT CLARK who has an infection in his finger that has gone all the way to the bone after a severe cut from a saw.

 

For CAROL HINKLEMAN, a friend of Cheri Verme (Lil WInter's daughter) who is in ICU with spinal meningitis.

 

For ED AND MARGARET KOHRS who are mourning the loss of Margaret's son in law.  

 

FOR NANCY SPINIOLAS who fell and tore a muscle in her arm and had to get 21 stiches in it.

 

FOR ERNA VAN HORN who was put on hospice care yesterday due to inoperable and untreatable cancer.

FOR WENDELL AND MARY ANN ROEHRS who have decided to move down to the Lake of the Ozarks after losing their home to a fire.
 
THOSE WITH CANCER, the many among our family and friends who are struggling with cancer.

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING FOR A NEW BABY GIRL TO MARK AND JAYME VESSEL, an "almost" member of St. John's.

COUGAR CLIFFORD, 15 year old who had an accident playing in the snow on Jan 7 and broke his neck.  He has undergone extensive surgery and is recovering but is still unable to move his legs.  
 
JONAS BORCHERT, grandson of Don Nolte, as he continues to deal with cancer in his lungs.
 
DONNA HEITGERD recovering at Scott and Lani Heitgerd's from a broken hip.