Imagine this scene. You have spent days traveling back to your hometown after 70 years in captivity. Many of those with you were born in captivity and so they never knew this place called Jerusalem. They heard stories of a beautiful and magnificent temple, but they never saw it, their parents and grandparents just spoke of it with awe and joy, as a sparkle would come to their eye as they talked about it. They spoke of wondrous worship with all sorts of instruments and thousands of people singing all together.
Now they were back at the very place that was spoken of, but they themselves were participating. They wanted to get everything right to honor their forefathers and their aging family who was there with them. They were nervous and yet excited. It was the dedication of the new temple of the Lord. What joy they must've had as they gathered together in freedom. Just imagine the smiles on their faces and the joy in their hearts as they were able to worship their God freely in their own place.
My home church in Minnesota is celebrating its 150th anniversary next year and the congregation has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to repair the building that has stood for 130 of those 150 years. I am reminded of my faith that was begun there at my baptism, confirmed at my confirmation, the wedding I had there to my wonderful wife, and the thousand worship services I attended there. It brings joy to my heart, because in all those instances God was there and He was smiling too! He was giving his approval to that worship. He was not just a part of those worship services and special events, but He was the whole purpose. And it wasn't because of the building either. The building is just bricks and mortar, wood and steel. It is because, "where two or three are gathered there I AM in the midst of them."
I am so excited about the future of St. John's. I am excited, because whether we are experiencing a time of growth where a new family and sometimes two and three families are coming to church every week, or whether we go a month or even two without a visitor at all, GOD IS THERE!! He is there in spirit and in truth. He is there in bread and wine, water and Word. He is there in the care and concern and the prayers, and the fellowship of believers! All the time God is there, and He will never leave us or forsake us! Blessed be the name of the Lord!
Prayer: Lord God, thank you for always being there. Help me to trust in your holy presence and rejoice in it. Amen.
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: How many articles of gold and silver were brought back to Jerusalem for the temple? 5,400
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TODAY'S QUIZ: Who was Haggai and what was the main purpose of him writing his book of the Bible?
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CALENDAR:
Wed- Jonesburg nursing home worship 10:30; Choir practice 7pm
Thurs- Alzheimer's Caregivers support group 1pm; Marilyn begins vacation
Fri- 7-12 grade camp out at Mim Dunn's house beginning at noon
Sat- Men's breakfast and Bible Study 8am; Bible study 4; worship 5
Sun- worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; worship 11; Elder's meeting noon
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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS WEEK
Acolytes- 8:30- Ian Brunson 11- Alaina Heitgerd
Altar guild- Set up- Cheri' Hofeldt; Clean Up-- Wanda Turnure
Greeters- 8:30- Don Nolte 11- Dan and Lisa Rausch
Communion Assistants- Sat- Randy Sweet; 8:30- John Hachtel; 11- none
Lay Readers- Sat- Randy Sweet; 8:30- Patrick Schaumberg; 11am- Jacob Nagel
8:30 Ushers- Marv Hendershot, Don Luebke, Dave Callies, Don Nolte
Projectors- Sat- ????, 8:30- Terry McKenzie, 11- Ian Brunson???
Sat pianist- Molly Hendershot
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NEWS:
SET UP AND CLEAN UP HELPERS NEEDED FOR POTLUCK ON JUNE 22nd!!
So far we have Christine Winn, Lani Heitgerd, and Lynn Russell. We could still use a few more!
We are in need of some helpers to set up before and clean up after the potluck to welcome our DCE intern on Sunday, June 22.
Our previous volunteers, Linda Callies and Denise Schlesselmann will not be able to be there that day.
Please volunteer by simply replying to this email and letting me know. Thanks!
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DENISE SCHLESSELMANN LEAVING FOR SUMMER MISSION TRIP THE WEEK OF JUNE 16!!
Please pray for her as she goes to the Silesian province on the eastern side of the Czech Republic.
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YOUTH CAMP OUT RESCHEDULED FOR THIS FRIDAY, JUNE 6, BEGINNING AT NOON!!!
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 have men's breakfast early Saturday morning. So I will be leaving by 7am. I need a parent or two to be there in the morning when the kids wake up. Someone please help!
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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 19 "The Return Home" IS THIS WEEK!!!
70 years have passed. A whole generation has come and gone. Yet God is faithful and keeps his promises. He makes a way for the tribe of Judah to come back to Jerusalem and rebuild that city so that He can fulfill his promise of a Savior from Bethlehem.
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 210 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)!!!
If you are willing to sign up for a Sunday let me know by replying to this email and I will add you!! Thanks
Please consider bringing donuts, muffins, or another kind of treat for our fellowship time. Here are the dates:
June 8- Dave and Linda Callies
June 15- Dave and Lil Winter
June 22- Dane and Jodi Baldwin
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 has been placed on hospice care and is in Warrenton Manor.
For LIBBY PAILER, who is recovering from extensive surgery Monday to repair a broken pelvis.
For RICK SPINIOLAS as he continues to deal with pancreatic cancer.
For RON WILLIAMS, who is home today after an extensive stay at the hospital.
For ED KOHRS, who is recovering well from surgery at Delmar Gardens in Fenton.
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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