Thursday, May 8, 2014

DEVOTION: The Lord said, "Go out and stand in the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by."  Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountain apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind.  After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake.  After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire.  And after the fire came a gentle whisper.  When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave....  The Story, 207

Everyone wants flashy exciting stuff these days.  It often seems that louder is better.  When I was a teenager that was certainly true.  I liked to listen to Guns and Roses and Mettalicca really loud.  I liked light shows and big bangs.  It was exciting! 
 
Then I got older and more sensible and realized that not everything that is good has to be flashy, loud, and exciting too.  I like quietness.  IN fact, the quieter the better most of the time.  I can think better when there is quiet.  I can hear better when there isn't so much noise. 
 
Our Lord God knows this.  Sometimes he reveals his presence and power in big flashy ways, like at the Mount of Transfiguration, but most of the time he spoke softly when dealing with people, as in the woman at the well, the ten lepers, Peter, and so many others.  How many times do we read about Jesus trying to get away from the crowds?  Jesus wanted to be heard more than seen, and the way to be truly heard was to speak with gentleness and care.  Very seldom do we really hear someone who is constantly yelling. 
 
God speaks to us in thousands of little whispers through His Word. As we hear it, study, learn it, memorize it, and take it to heart, our Lord speaks to us through it.  He speaks words of law, when we need to know our sinfulness, and he speaks words of Gospel clearly and constantly when we need to hear that. 
 
How is God speaking to you today?  He probably isn't using flashy gimmicks and loud noises.  He is always using His Word.  I urge you to listen when He speaks!  Read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest it into your soul so that He may truly give you the peace you need and desire. 
 
Prayer:  Lord God, give us Your Word in whatever way You think best so that we can truly hear it and it will change us.  Amen.
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ  What was Ahab's wife name and where did she come from?  All I wanted was the name nad where she is from....
 
Here is Pat King's answer:

This one is easy! Jezebel was the daughter of King Ethbaal, King of Tyre (Phoenicia). She married Ahab, supported the worship of baal and asherah, and erected shrines to them – thus royally ticking off God. Who’d guessed it! That little thing called the 1st Commandment – well that was just some scribbles on a stone. Nothing Ahab and Jez needed to worry about.

Anyway, after having fun torturing God’s prophets and generally leading the Northern Kingdom astray, she ended up getting eaten by dogs. Whereupon her name was changed to Kibble ‘n Bits. (A little known fact, which I have generously shared with you!)

BTW, her ratty daughter, Athaliah, married a Judean king, Jehoram – the guy whose guts fell out & who had killed his brothers in order to get the throne. Her oldest son croaked and her youngest, Ahaziah, was king for about a year. He was killed while on a military thingie with his uncle, up in the Northern Kingdom. Mom held a Coup d'État, and offed all the grandkids – thus stealing the throne. She reigned for about 6 years, when the Jewish High Priest – who’d been secretly hiding one of the grandson’s – revealed him and deposed her. BTW, this priest was married to one of Jehoram’s daughters – a 1st – who was the one who snuck the baby out of the palace while her step-mother was slaughtering the harem and other kids.

And people say the Bible is boring!
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TODAY'S QUIZ: How did Elijah eat in the wilderness when he ran away from Ahab?

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CALENDAR:
Sat- Basement reserved 10-3; Bible study 4; worship 5
Sun- Mother's Day; worship 8:30; Sunday school and Bible class 9:45; worship 11
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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS WEEK
Acolytes- 8:30- Dustin Toedebusch  11- John Pezold
Altar guild- Set up- Linda Callies; Clean Up- John and Joanne Hachtel
Greeters- 8:30- Coleen Bottorff 11- Joan Sexton
Communion Assistants- Sat- Rich Talbert; 8:30- Rich Boeger; 11- Dave Winter
Lay Readers- Sat- Marcia Sevier; 8:30- Tim Linke;  11am- Ian Brunson
8:30 Ushers- Scott Heitgerd, Tom Linke, Alex Heitgerd, Bob Linke
Projectors- Sat- Pam Bueltmann, 8:30- Terry McKenzie, 11- Emily Brunson
Sat pianist- Kathy Barrow
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NEWS:
MEN'S BREAKFAST THIS SATURDAY AT 8am!!
Come for the great food:  biscuits, sausage gravy, sausage, scrambled eggs, fruit!!
 
Stay for the Bible study and fellowship!!
 
Please let me know if you are coming!!
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FALL MEN'S RETREAT IS SET
WHEN:  Friday- Sunday SEPT. 26-28
WHERE: Mark Twain Lake at Si Colburn Group Camp
WHAT: The theme is "Amazing Grace"
HOW MUCH: $45 for registration, housing, food, and attendance prizes; $30 for golf, $15 if you want to stay up there Thursday night; everything else on your own
Accommodations:  Group cabins, (if you are a light sleeper you may want ear plugs or you may want to bring your camper/tent), You can also rent a room at the hotel in town about 5 miles away.
Please let me know of your desire to attend. 
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TRUSTEES HAVE SCHEDULED A WORK DAY FOR SATURDAY, MAY 17!!!
List of projects:
1. finishing trim on front door
2. Fixing partition between overflow and sanctuary
3. Addressing drainage issues
4. Painting
5. Other
They have also established a volunteer list.  Id you wish to tackle a project at another time, see the list posted on the bulletin board across from church office.

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T-SHIRTS FOR SALE!!!

Wonderful blaze orange t-shirts are for sale for $10 a piece to help support our board of outreach and evangelism's efforts and to raise money to provide for those in need.  Pick up your size today and put your $10 in the box provided!!!  They are located in the narthex (entry way) of church upstairs.

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THE STORY: CHAPTER 15 "God's Messengers" IS THIS WEEK!!!

It is the stories of Elijah and Elisha and how they were given the task of proclaiming God's judgment upon the Kings of Israel. 

 

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JUST A FEW SPACES LEFT IN THE THREE YEAR OLD LITTLE LAMBS CLASS FOR NEXT YEAR!!

The four year old class is full and there is a waiting list that people can get on if they wish. 

 

The three year old class still has several spaces available.  If you know of someone or you would like to get your own child in to this class please call the church office asap!!! 

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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 220 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 LIBBY PAILER, who has been dealing with bronchitis and pneumonia for several weeks now.

 

For BEN FRICK, who has also been dealing with pneumonia and weakness for the last two weeks at least.

 

For EMOGENE FRYANT, friend of Marv and Molly Hendershot, who has been place on hospice care.

 

For CHERI VERME, daughter of Lil WInter, who is suffering from severe osteoporosis and has a cracked pelvis (all the way across her pelvis) because of it.

 

For FRAN WAGNER, a good friend of Sandy Robine, who has been placed on hospice care.

 

For TRICIA MEYER, who is dealing with ovarian cancer.  She is a friend of many in our congregation.

 

For KELSEY OVERBECK as she finishes up her schooling at Concordia, Seward and moves to Warrenton to become our DCE intern. 

THOSE WITH CANCER, especially RICK SPINIOLAS, and the many others among our family and friends who are struggling with cancer.