Wednesday, May 28, 2014

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). 

 

"God's Name"
May 28, 2014 
(God said) "You shall not take the Name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His Name in vain." Exodus 20:7
The owner of the L.A. Clippers, Donald Sterling, has a big mouth; he also has a foul and prejudiced mouth.

Last month Mr. Sterling made some remarks that were profane and racist. If that were not enough, he gave an interview to CNN, which was racially prejudiced.

Now the National Basketball Association (NBA) has decided Mr. Sterling has damaged its desire to be diverse and inclusive. His language has damaged "the NBA's relationship with its fans; harmed NBA owners, players, and Clippers team personnel; and impaired the NBA's relationship with marketing and merchandising partners, as well as with government and community leaders ...."

Because of his mouth, here are the penalties which are being -- or have been -- proposed for Mr. Sterling:

1. The NBA has given him a $2.5 million fine.

2. He has been banned for life from attendance at the games.

3. Other team owners are being asked to vote and force Mr. Sterling to sell his team.

Apparently, the NBA is pretty serious when it comes to sins of the tongue. It believes a person's words ought to be a positive reflection on the things he is supposed to be supporting and holding dear.

The Lord agrees.

Maybe that's why the Lord, when He was having Moses write down the Ten Commandments, gave a very high position to His Law, which said, "You shall not take the Name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His Name in vain."

Although the Lord doesn't go into detail, it is reasonable to think we would speak honorably and respectfully of the Creator who has given us all we have, the Redeemer who offered and gave His life as the ransom price to save us, and the Comforter who has called and kept us in the saving faith.

Yes, it would be both reasonable and right for us to hold the Lord and His divine Names in high regard, which is why it must pain Him to hear just how often some of God's people use His Names foolishly, frivolously, flippantly and wrongly. The Lord's Names should not be used for punctuation or for calling down divine wrath on any inconsequential inconvenience.

No, as people who have been saved by God's grace, the Savior's sacrifice, and the Holy Spirit's ongoing intervention, we ought always, as Luther said, "to thank and praise to serve and obey Him," which would be, of course, most certainly true.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, the world, not knowing what You have done to try and save them, holds Your Name in disregard. May it be a singular mark of my language that all who hear me will know I am eternally grateful for Your graces and ongoing direction in my life. This I ask in the Savior's 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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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:    What was Daniel's Babylonian name? Beltashazzar

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TODAY'S QUIZ: Who were the three men thrown into the fiery furnace for not praying to a false god?

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CALENDAR:

Wed- Choir 7pm

Fri- 7-12 grade camp out at Mim Dunn's house Friday, 3pm- Saturday, Noon
Sat- Bible study 4; worship 5
Sun- worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; worship 11
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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS WEEK
Acolytes- 8:30- Emily Brunson  11- Grace Hargrove
Altar guild- Set up- ???; Clean Up-- ???
Greeters- 8:30- Sharon Spoede 11- Charlie and Lynn Figura
Communion Assistants- Sat- Jim Rahn???; 8:30- John Hachtel; 11- Charlie Figura
Lay Readers- Sat- Jim Rahn??; 8:30- Jennifer Figura;  11am- Lynn Figura
8:30 Ushers- George Hoelscher, Gary Hoelscher, Brent Davis, Walt Schirr
Projectors- Sat- Pam Bueltmann, 8:30- Sophie Tinnin, 11- Becca Bettlach
Sat pianist- Molly Hendershot
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NEWS:

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL CAMP OUT THIS FRIDAY, MAY 30!!!

Current 6th graders (those going into 7th grade) through those going into college are invited to join us for a night of camping, with a bonfire, s'mores, swimming, canoeing, and many other adventures. 

 

If your child is younger, he or she may come too, but a parent has to come with him or her!! 

 

Let me know if you are coming and if you have a tent BRING IT! 

 

I will be arriving around 3pm on Friday and we will all be out of there by noon on Saturday.

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KELSEY OVERBECK (OUR DCE INTERN) WILL BE INDUCTED ON SUNDAY, JUNE 22nd!!  There will be a potluck at noon to welcome her!

 

Please sign up on the sheet in the narthex that you will be there and be bringing a dish to share.

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THE STORY: CHAPTER 18 "Daniel in Exile" IS THIS WEEK!!!

Daniel and the rest of the people of Judah were in captivity for most of their lives.  Learn all about how God kept them safe and brought them back to himself even through this time of captivity.

 

PLEASE KEEP UP WITH YOUR READINGS AND COME TO BIBLE STUDY!!  I know it is difficult, but make time!  It is very important!

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WHY AM I BIKING ACROSS KANSAS????
I greatly value and appreciate our relationship and want to let you know I have taken on the physical challenge with 23 other riders from LeadaChild and around 800 other bikers, of biking across the state of Kansas to raise awareness and financial support for LeadaChild CCCS.

 

Pray that I make it. Emoji I will be biking June 11-13, and going about 220 miles, the rest of the group will be biking the whole week and going a total of 550 miles.  If you are interested in seeing what and where we will be biking go to: www.bak.org

 

As you may know, LeadaChild provides Christian education to over 26,000 children in 30 countries. The website is: www.leadachild.org.  Would you consider sponsoring my ride by sending in a check directly to CCCS or you can give the money to me and I will get it to the right place. Make checks out to CCCS, 1000 SW 10th Ave., Topeka, KS. 66604. 

 

Any amount will make an impact, but our 23 bikers for LeadaChild CCCS is trying to raise $100,000 and I am trying to raise $25,000.   I currently have $5,650 raised toward that goal. A long ways to go however,

 

With the Lord anything is possible, even a big old lug like me making it across Kansas.

 

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Jeremiah 29: 11

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DONUT LIST NEEDS FILLING  (pun intended)!!!

Please consider bringing donuts, muffins, or another kind of treat for our fellowship time.  Here are the dates:

June 1- Jason and Cora Cluver

June 8- Dave and Linda Callies

June 15-

June 22-

June 29- Jim Rahn

July 6-

July 13-

July 20-

July 27-

Aug 3-

Aug 10-

Aug 17-

Aug 24-

Aug 31-

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

For BEN FRICK, who is hospitalized with pneumonia and a yet unidentified growth on his esophagus.

 

For RICK SPINIOLAS as he recovers from a fever at home.  He was hospitalized this past weekend.

 

For RON WILLIAMS, recovering from an appendectomy.

 

For JAXSON WHEELER, recovering from a sickness and fever this past weekend.

 

For ED KOHRS, who had to have a feeding tube put in so that he would be able to receive enough nourishment.

 

For EMOGENE FRYANT, friend of Marv and Molly Hendershot, who has been placed 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. 

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