Monday, August 18, 2014

DEVOTION: The word of the Lord spread through the whole region.  But the Jewish leaders incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city.  They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region.  The Story, p. 409
 
What happens when people don't seek forgiveness and reconciliation?  What happens when people only seek what they think of as "justice" without knowing the truth?  You can see it happening right now in Ferguson and in all of north county.  You see people taking advantage of a situation for their own bad behavior and their own false gain.  You see people rioting.  You see protests.  You see interviews and press conferences where there is nothing but anger and shouting. 
 
What you don't see....  JESUS.  Actually, I have heard quite a few stories of Jesus being proclaimed in this situation.  I have heard the gospel go out in that place, and when it does there is peace.  When it does cooler heads prevail and there is the beginning of reconciliation and forgiveness. 
 
When there isn't, like there has been in the middle of the night for the last week, there is what you have seen on the news. 
 
You might see the same thing in your family.  I know I've seen it in mine from time to time.  You see and hear people shouting over one another and not listening to each other.  You see people with anger and hate who only want retaliation and what they claim to be as justice.  So, lest you see what's going on in Ferguson and begin to judge "those people" remember that at one time or even more you were one of those people. 
 
I urge you then, if you are struggling with wanting justice without also wanting reconciliation, or if you are seeking to destroy someone else instead of building them up or giving them God's grace, repent and seek JESUS!  Seek His forgiveness for your own sin and for the other person.  That is the only way true justice and true peace will prevail.  
 
Let us pray:  Lord God, turn our heart, and the hearts of those seeking hurt and hate in Ferguson, to You and to peace.  Amen.  

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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:    How did Peter respond when the people who were cut to the heart asked him "Brothers, what shall we do?"  He said, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the Holy Spirit."
 
Thanks Dianne Hance for your continued prompt and correct answers.
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TODAY'S QUIZ:  Who was set apart with Saul to do the work to which God had called them?
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CALENDAR:
Tues- Quilters 9-2; Bible Study on The Story, Chapter 28  11:30-12:15; Praise Team practice 6:45
Wed- Ladies Aid meeting (w/ Mite boxes) noon; NEWSLETTER DEADLINE
Sat- Bible Study 4; Worship 5
Sun- worship 8:30; Bible Study and Sunday school 9:45; worship 11
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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS WEEK
Acolytes- 8:30- Becca Bettlach  11- Kailyn Blechle
Altar guild- Set up- Cheri' Hofeldt; Clean Up-- Betty Schirr and Cheryl Bettlach
Greeters- 8:30- Dave and Hope Tinnin; 11- Steve and Sandy Robine
Communion Assistants- Sat- Don Turnure; 8:30- John Hachtel; 11- Steve Robine
Lay Readers- Sat- Marcia Sevier; 8:30- Jacob Nagel;  11am- Steve Robine
8:30 Ushers- Alan Hofeldt, Tim Linke, Rich Talbert, Don Turnure
Projectors- Sat- Perricone; 8:30- Panhorst; 11- ????
Sat pianist-  Kathy Barrow;  Sun- Melissa Pedersen
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NEWS:
Kelsey updates our website weekly!  Check it out!!  www.stjohnwarrenton.org
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LABOR DAY FLOAT TRIP-- Float trip will be through Ozark Outdoors.  Meet at the river at 10am for a 4 mile float.  Please contact Teresa Scott to sign up.  She can be reached by email at tscott@usmo.com, cell phone or text at 636-359-5041 or at Schraer heating and air conditioning at 636-456-5041.  When signing up, [please provide your best phone contact number and email address, if you have one.  More info to follow.

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MAKE PLANS TO ATTEND THE CHURCH PICNIC!!!!!

 

The church picnic is going to be held at CHURCH this year on Sunday, September 7 at noon. 
 
There will be a sign up sheet to tell us how many from your family and friends are coming and what kind of food you will be bringing (Please bring a salad/side dish or dessert to share).  Hamburgers, hotdogs, buns, drinks, and eating utensils will be provided. 
 
We will need a few guys to volunteer to help with grilling on Sunday morning.  STEVE MCDOWELL and BRENT DAVIS have volunteered to head that up!  Thanks guys!
 
Everyone will need to help with clean up at the end, but it would be good to have a few volunteers to be in charge of clean up.
  
WE ARE GOING TO HAVE AN INFLATABLE OBSTACLE COURSE AND BOUNCE HOUSE AS WELL AS A GIANT SLIP AND SLIDE FOR THE KIDS!!
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MEN'S RETREAT COMING UP Friday, Sept. 26- Sunday Sept. 28 AT MARK TWAIN LAKE!!

Go to t3mensretreat.org for all the info you will need and to sign up!

It would be wonderful to get a big group of guys from St. John's to go!  I never miss it!

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MISSION STATEMENT NEEDS REVISION AND UPDATES

Our mission statement needs to be updated to reflect our emphasis on children and youth and to be made more concise and easy to read.  I would like to get a group of two or three interested people to help me to formulate something that we can print on all of our materials and share in the community.  If you have any interest in that please reply or call 359-1061

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DO YOU HAVE THE INACTIVE MEMBERS OF ST. JOHN'S ON YOUR HEART AND MIND?  SO DO I!

God has put the inactive members of St. John's on my heart and mind in different and new ways over the past month.  They need our care, concern, prayers and love.  I would like to get a committee of two or three people who also have them on their hearts and want to care for them in more and different ways.  Please reply or call 359-1061 if interested!

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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 DON AND WANDA TURNURE AND FAMILY, as they mourn the loss of Don's mother Louise Hale.

 

For MIM DUNN, as she is recovering from a broken pelvis at home.

 

For the FAMILY OF MIKE GARRETT, a husband of a fellow bus driver of Karin and a friend to many in the community, as his body is laid to rest today.

 

For JONAS BORCHERT as he recovers from surgery to remove a lobe of his lung due to cancer and as he awaits word on a new course of treatment.

 

For the community of FERGUSON, and all of North County, as they deal with the civil unrest, rioting, and looting that continues.

 

For HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF CHRISTIANS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA, who are being persecuted to the point of death for their faith. 

 

For NANCY SPINIOLAS as she recovers from a car accident and a fall.

 

For RICK SPINIOLAS as he continues to deal with pancreatic caner and the effects of the chemo on his body. 

 

For ED KOHRS who is back at the nursing home.

 

For LYNN MESSER, a friend of Jo Fahrni, who is has been missing for a month, that she will be found safe and well very soon.