Daily Devotion: Monday, Dec. 1, 2014

DEVOTION:  Flee from sexual immorality.  All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.  Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, which is in you, who you have received from God?  You are not your own; you were bought at a price.  Therefore honor God with your body.  1 Corinthians 6:18-20
 
Advent is a season of repentance.  If there is one sin that plagues the church and its members it is sexual immorality.  It is rampant in the church.  We accept it.  We shrug it.  We keep it hush hush.  We say that it's a personal thing and ones own business.  It is destroying families and it is destroying our society. 
 
If you are dealing with any kind of sexual sin, it is time to repent.  Repentance means turning around and turning toward Christ for forgiveness.  It means turning your desires away from all those evil things and turning your desire toward loving and caring for your husband or wife.  It means getting rid of all the avenues toward temptation whatever they may be.  It means when you see temptation you run away from it as fast as you can. 
 
Repentance means that you stop doing the evil junk that is destroying your relationships, you leave the guilt of it in the past, and you focus on a future free from what you've done and looking forward to what Christ has done for you.
 
Repentance is not just saying your sorry only to go right back to it without even blinking an eye.   It isn't just saying that you are sorry that you offended someone or hurt someone's feelings.  It means that you are truly sorry for what you've done, thought or said, because it went against God's will and you deserve hell for it.
 
If you are dealing with sexual immorality there is help.  I, as your pastor, am here to hear your confession to guide you in repentance and to give you God's grace.  There is help for addiction and I can guide you in the right direction for that as well and get you the help you need.  The main thing is DON'T STAY IN YOUR SIN!  REPENT AND TRUST IN CHRIST'S FORGIVENESS!
 
Prayer:  Lord help me to repent from my sins, whatever they might be, and turn to you for forgiveness.  Keep temptation from me and when I leave myself open to it, give me the feet to run away from it as fast as I can.  Amen. 
 
 
 
 

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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:    Who said the words in the verses in last Tuesday's devotion?  Jesus

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TODAY'S QUIZ:  What is the reason Paul gave that it is good for a man not to marry? (Hint: It's in 1 Corinthians)

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CALENDAR:

Mon- Confirmation 5-6:15; All Ladies Christmas Party at 6pm at China House Buffet

Tues- Quilting 9-2; Bible study 11:30-12:15

Wed- Advent Supper 5:30; Worship 6:30; Choir 7:15;  GIVING TREE GIFTS UE BACK!!!

Thurs- Alzheimer's support group 1pm; Karate 5pm; Praise Band 6pm
Sat- TFG leaves at noon; Worship 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30; Bible Study and Sunday school 9:45; Choir rehearsal 9:45; worship 11
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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS WEEK
Acolytes- Wed- John Pezold; 8:30- Patrick Schaumerg  11- Dawn Sherman
Altar guild- Set up- Terry McKenzie Clean up- Sandy Robine
Greeters- 8:30- Paul and Cindy Klover; 11- ??????
Communion Assistants- Wed- Steve Robine;  Sat- Jim Rahn; 8:30- Randy Sweet  11- Charlie Figura
Lay Readers- Sat- Jim Rahn, 8:30- Randy Sweet, 11- Lynn Figura
Ushers- Wed- Figura family;  Sun- Don Hance, Rich Boeger, Don Weigle, Don Tate
Projectors- Sat-- Pam; Sun 8:30- Kailyn Blechle   11-- Bella Linstruth
Pianists/organists Wed-Melissa Pedersen;  Sat- Molly Hendershot; Sun- Melissa Pedersen  11am- Doug Walters
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NEWS:

THANK YOU TO THE 30 OR SO FOLKS WHO HELPED DECORATE CHURCH YESTERDAY!!

We had the biggest crowd ever!  It is great to see and to know that so many people care about the church and like to spend time in fellowship with the church community!

 

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GIVING TREE GIFTS ARE DUE BACK THIS WEDNESDAY!!!!

Please follow the directions given in the bulletin.  Call Marilyn with any questions!

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ADVENT DINNERS AND WORSHIP BEGINS THIS WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3!!

Supper at 5:30

Your elder will be calling you to direct you as to when to bring food!  Please come to all of the dinners though!  Yu can't beat fried chicken and tons of great sides every Wednesday night!  A small free will donation is appreciated to offset the cost of the chicken.  Please also make sure you bring your dishes home after supper!  And please be aware that they will not be washed.

 

Worship at 6:30

Our worship theme is COME, LORD JESUS! Focusing on the Lord's Prayer and the Common table prayer, we will talk about what it means that we want Jesus to come into the world, into our hearts, and into eternity!!

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OFFERING ENVELOPES ARE READY TO BE PICKED UP IN THE NARTHEX!!
Please go by your name, not your old envelope number.  All numbers have changed.  Make sure you get yours next time you are at church!!!

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POINSETTIAS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE FOR CHRISTMAS EVE AND DAY!!

The sign up sheet is on the counter in the narthex or you can call Marilyn to order yours.  You can take yours home with you after Christmas Day!!  Please sign up by December 14.  Cost is $13.50 each. Many purchase them in honor or in memory of a loved one.

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LADIES AID INVITES ALL LADIES TO JOIN THEM FOR A CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 10 AT NOON AT DENNY'S.  This is in place of the regular ladies aid meeting.

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TRAVELING FELLOWSHIP GROUP LEAVES AT NOON ON SATURDAY FOR THEIR CHRISTMAS ADVENTURE!!

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SUNDAY SCHOOL CHILDREN ARE PRATICING FOR THE CHRISTMAS PROGRAM DURING SUNDAY SCHOOL TIME!

If you want your child to be part of the program they need to be in Sunday school!  The program will be at the 11am service on December 21. 

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SUPPORT THE LAYING OF WREATHS AT THE GRAVES OF OUR VETERANS WHO HAVE PAID THE ULTIMATE PRICE

Larry Schulze is selling wreaths to be used at a wreath laying ceremony at the graves of veterans with an organization called Wreaths Across America.  You can purchase/sponsor them for $15 each. 
 
Call Larry Schulze at 636-359-1069 to order yours or if you have questions or need more info. 
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ST. JOHN'S NEW MISSION STATEMENT

 

As the body of Christ, we strive to make disciples of all, focusing on the next generation, through growing....

UP in God's Word and Sacraments

OUT into the community by caring for physical and spiritual needs

TOGETHER in fellowship to build lasting relationships in Christ

 

Memorize it!  Get used to it!  Live it!  It is YOUR mission statement as a member of St. John's Lutheran Church!

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A VOLUNTEER IS NEEDED TO BE A DELEGATE TO THE MISSOURI DISTRICT CONVENTION IN SPRINGFIELD, MO JUNE 14-16

All voting members (men or women) are eligible.  In order for our congregation to have a complete voice we need to have complete representation!  Please call me or reply to this email if you would like to serve your church in this way!!

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WE STILL NEED ONE MORE ELDER!!!

 

Elder duties- 

1. Assist the pastor in the spiritual matters of the congregation.

2. Consider complaints and grievances according to Matthew 18:15-18

3. Make every effort to get inactive members back to worship and supporting the church as they have pledged to God to do.

4.  See to it that all worship is held in an orderly and joyful manner.

5. Prepare a list of candidates during a vacancy.

6. Consider salary and benefits for all staff and make recommendations.

7. Consider those who are eligible for membership.

8. Be a good Christian example with regular worship and Bible study attendance and in their Christian conduct and conversation.

 

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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 CORA CLUVER as she recovers from surgery to remove a possible cancerous tumor.  Biopsy results will come back early this week.

 

For ELTON TEMME, brother of  Harold Temme and Lois Frick, who had a seizure this past Tuesday.

 

For the DREYER FAMILY at the death of Allan's mom.

 

For SAFETY, PEACE, AND THAT COMMON SENSE AND COOLER HEADS PREVAIL in the trouble in Ferguson.

 

For ROSETTA JONES who fell and broke her wrist and is recovering from surgery on it at Delmar Gardens.

 

For BEVERLY WAALEN who has been placed on hospice care and is nearing the end of her earthly life.

 

For OUR CONTINUED FREEDOM OF RELIGION AND SPEECH in the United States, that we would continue to be able to freely speak the truth even in the face of opposition.

 

For our NATION'S MILITARY LEADERS AND SOLDIERS as they figure out what to do about the imminent threats from ISIS.

 

For MILLIONS OF CHRISTIANS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, who are being persecuted to the point of death for their faith. 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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