In this passage is the essence of true Christian love. Even though his son Absalom was trying to defeat him and take over his throne, even though his son was completely rebellious he still loved him. He still wanted to keep him alive. Perhaps he wanted to capture him and bring him to his senses. Maybe he wanted to whoop his butt to make him knock it off. He didn't want to kill him. He wanted to save him.
The same holds true for all of our relationships as Christians. If we truly love someone, as we should love everyone, we don't want to see them go down to the grave in unbelief. We want to see them saved. As much anger or bitterness as we would have in our hearts toward someone, we can and should never wish harm on them. According to Jesus himself, that is akin and equal to murder.
David loved his son as all parents love their children no matter how bad or good they are. He loved him with an unconditional love.
That's how our God loves us. Even though most of our thoughts and actions are rebellious and even though our very nature is against him, he doesn't stop loving us. He keeps forgiving us. He keeps bringing us back to himself. He will never leave us or forsake us.
That should especially give us joy, comfort, and peace today as we face our very difficult sins, as we face an unforgiving and cruel world, and as we go through trials and temptations of many kinds. OUR SOUL IS ALWAYS SAFE WITH JESUS!
Prayer: Lord God, help us to always live in and believe in your love despite our own rebellion. Amen.
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: Name one of David's "mighty men". (Hint: It's not in The Story but it is in 2 Samuel.) There were 30 of them. Here are just a few: Josheb-basshebeth, Eleazar son of Dodo, Shammah, Abishai, Benaiah,
Sat- NO WORSHIP
Sun- Sunrise worship 6:30; Breakfast 8; Easter Egg Hunt 9; Worship 10
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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS WEEK
Acolytes- Maundy Thursday Siera Jaeger; Good Friday Hannah Johnson; 6:30- Devin Miller 10- Jacob Nagel
Altar guild- Set up- Maundy Thursday Lucille Luebke; Good Friday- Terry McKenzie; Clean up- Maundy Thursday- Lynn Russell and Elaine Schauer; Easter Sunday: Set up- Cheri' Hofeldt, Clean up- Lois Boeger
Greeters- Easter- 6:30- Randy and Patty Sweet 10- Charlie and Lynn Figura
Communion Assistants- Maundy Thursday- (All ELDERS SHOULD BE THERE); Easter- 6:30- Rich Talbert 10- Dave Winter
Lay Readers- 6:30- Randy Sweet; 11am- Lynn Figura
8:30 Ushers- Maundy Thursday-- Lew Feldkamp, Kent Jacobsmeyer, Paul Klover; Good Friday- George Hoelscher, Brent Davis, Gary Hoelscher, Walt Schirr; Easter- 6:30- Marv Hendershot, Don Luebke, Dave Callies, Don Nolte; 10am- Figura Family
Projectors- Maundy Thursday- Terry McKenzie; Good Friday- Kailyn Blechle; 6:30- Julie Schaumberg 10- Terry McKenzie
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NEWS:
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LADIES AID MEETING THIS WEDNESDAY AT NOON!!! PLEASE BRING YOUR MITE BOXES.
My name is Kelsey Overbeck and I will be your DCE intern this year from Concordia University Nebraska. I am from a little town called Pocahontas, Missouri
which is in the southeast part of the state with a population of 114 people. I live on a 70 acre farm where we raise angus cattle, a few chickens, a brittany spaniel named Brownie, and a boston terrier named Cooper. My parents are Pat and Doug Overbeck; my dad is a line technician for Proctor & Gamble and my mom is disabled with Multiple Sclerosis, I also have a 16 year old sister named Lindsey who is a sophomore at
Saxony Lutheran High School.
Jackson, Missouri. I have been involved in my church praise band for 8 years playing acoustic guitar and bass guitar. I was a member of the Missouri District LYF Team during high school where I helped plan and lead retreats in the state of Missouri and I continued to help with the Jr. High retreats in the fall and spring while in college. I love being at retreats and serving on missions trips. I have been to New Orleans six different times helping with hurricane Katrina relief, I have helped with the Joplin tornado relief two different times, and I have worked with UKANDU missions in inner city Chicago
teaching VBS to kids living in poverty.
Nebraska alongside DCE Rod Lane. At school I was involved in two different praise bands each year and was able to travel to different churches throughout the state of Nebraska on Sunday mornings; I have also had the opportunity to play at the NYG in San Antonio, Texas and at the LEA Conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Also while at
Concordia I was the Bulldog mascot for a year. My passion is working with youth and helping them on their faith walk with Christ. I strive to be a positive role model to them as well. One of my biggest strengths that I
bring into youth ministry is a listening ear because a lot of times they just want someone to be there to listen and talk to. I am very excited to be a part of your church during my internship experience! I can’t wait to see what God has in store for me at St. John’s
Lutheran Church!
In Him, For Him,
Kelsey Overbeck
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VENDOR FAIR AND TAILGATE SALE AND LADIES AID LUNCHEON AND BAKE SALE IS COMING SOON!! SATURDAY, MAY 3, 7am-2pm
Reserve an inside vendor table for $20 or a tailgate space for $10 by filling out a registration form in the church office. Inside tables will not be reserved until forms are filled out and paid for. First come first served!!
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WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE YOUR OFFERING DEDUCTED AUTOMATICALLY FROM YOUR BANK ACCOUNT???
The church council is researching an automatic electronic funds transfer option for members who wish to have their regular offerings deducted directly from their bank account. We would like to get a "feel" of whether or not enough members would be interested and willing to participate in this option. Please contact the church office or Alan Hofeldt directly if you think you would be a candidate for this service.
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TWO GROUP TRAVEL EVENTS COMING UP THIS YEAR!!
October 4--A DAY IN ST. LOUIS-- We will tour places that are hidden gems in St. Louis
December 6-- CATHOLIC RECTORY IN HERMANN AND POSSIBLY A CHRISTMAS SHOW IN OSAGE BEACH
Let Marilyn know if you are interested in either of these trip so she can make definite plans.
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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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PRAYER REQUESTS: (If you have a prayer request please reply to this email or call me at 636-359-1061)
For KELSEY OVERBECK as she finishes up her schooling at Concordia, Seward and moves to Warrenton to become our DCE intern.
For OUR CONGREGATION as we continue to grow very rapidly and as we love our community with the love of Christ.
For MARY STEMLER, a soon to be member of St. John's who is at home recovering from congestive heart failure.
THOSE WITH CANCER, especially RICK SPINIOLAS, and the many others among our family and friends who are struggling with cancer.
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