Daily Devotion: Monday, January 5, 2015

 ST. JOHN'S 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 Sacrament
OUT into the community by caring for physical and spiritual need
TOGETHER in fellowship to build lasting relationships in Christ
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DEVOTION:  The Lord had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you."  Genesis 12:1
 
I remember back in 1996 when I first thought about going to the seminary to become a pastor.  Everything was going well, I was finally settling in to a routine after three years of hard work to get to that point.  I was starting to hit my stride.  Then, in a conversation with a pastor we began to talk about college and what I actually had started college to become, which was to be a pastor.  I changed my major half way through my sophomore year to secondary education from pre-seminary.  The pastor friend of mine said, you should do that now.  You should go to the seminary to become a pastor.  That thought stuck with me and would not go away.  I thought about it more and more and God put people in my path to encourage me in that endeavor.  It was as if God was saying, "Go!  Leave this place and go to a place where I will show you." 
            Well, it wasn't quite like that.  I had planned a long time ago and for a long time to be a pastor.  I just got sidetracked for about six years.  I knew where I was going, and I had friends there.  Still, I was comfortable where I was and things were going great.  I had made it through some very trying and uncomfortable times and now I was ready to cruise for a while.  But God had other plans. 
         Maybe God is telling you to do something hard right now and you are fighting it because you are comfortable and you just want to cruise for a while.  Maybe there is something that you should be doing, going to a friend or family member that you have hurt to apologize and be reconciled, quitting a job that you are comfortable in to serve the Lord in some way, stopping something in your life that is harming you even though it feels good.  Is there?  Is there something you should be doing?  Is there somewhere you should be going?  Is there something in your life that needs to stop? 
        It takes a lot of effort and sometimes painful and awkward situations to get going in the right direction, but if it is what God wants you to do, you better just do it or you will suffer even more for it.  Just think if Abram had not left his comfortable life, his flocks, herds, and land.  He would have been truly sorry wouldn't he? 
         I urge you to heed the Lord's calling for your life.  Don't resist the Holy Spirit!  If He is moving you, calling you, or pushing you to do something just do it.  If it is the Lord's will you have no other choice!  AND HE WILL BLESS YOU IN IT!
      Let us pray:  Lord God, help me to do the hard things in my life by Your power so that I may be built up in You, so that You may grow me into the person you have made me to be, and so that You may have an impact on others through me.  Amen.
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YESTERDAY"S QUIZ ANSWER:  Peter wrote two epistles. 
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TODAY'S QUIZ:  Who was Lot?
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CALENDAR: 
Mon- Confirmation 5-6; You steak dinner/auction meeting 6pm
Tues- Quilting 9-2; Bible study 2; Building committee meeting 7pm
Wed- Jonesburg Nursing Home worship 10:30; Choir 7
Thurs- Karate 5pm; Praise Band practice 6pm
Sat- Men's breakfast 8am; Worship 5pm
Sun- Worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; Worship 11; Elder's meeting noon
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WORSHIP WORKERS: 
Acolyte- 8:30- Devin Miller, 11- George Pezold
Ushers- Dave Winter, Gary Scott, Larry Schulze, Scott Schulze
Altar- Set up- Marilyn Foster and Sue Ruhl; Clean Up- Joanne Hachtel
Communion Assistants- Sat- Jim Rahn; 8:30- Rich Talbert; 11- Steve McDowell
Greeters- 8:30- Erv Yoder  11- Robines
Lay readers- Sat- Jim Rahn; 8:30- Steve McDowell; 11- Kailyn Blechle
Sat Pianist- Kathy Barrow
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NEWS:
MEN'S BREAKFAST SATURDAY AT 8am
Menu:  Pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage
 
Bible Study-  What does the Bible say about homosexuality and how should we as Christians deal with issues concerning it?
 
Please let me know if you are coming and invite friends and your sons/grandsons
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SUNDAY SCHOOL HAS RESUMED!!  it is EVERY SUNDAY at 9:45
Just because the Christmas program is over doesn't mean that Sunday school is. 
 
Parents, please be faithful in getting your kids to Sunday school!  It is very important that they grow in their faith on an ongoing basis!  Plus our Sunday school teachers really want to see them and teach them all about God!

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ADULT BIBLE CLASS HAS RESUMED!
We began our study of the book of Acts yesterday!  Now's the time to get back into Bible study!  Please consider coming and being a part of it. 
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STEAK DINNER/AUCTION MEETING AFTER CONFIRMATION CLASS TONIGHT !!! 
All youth in 7th-12th grade need to be sure to get all the info and to sign up for various work to make this Steak Dinner and Auction a success. 
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7TH/8TH GRADE CONFIRMATION RESUMES TODAY
Please bring your copies of "The Story" with you to class tonight!!
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OFFERING ENVELOPES ARE STILL UP IN THE NARTHEX!!
Some of you still need to pick up your offering envelopes.  Please get to church and do so ASAP! 
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A VOLUNTEER IS STILL 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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PRAYER REQUESTS:
For CLAIRE JOHNSON who is recovering from a bad car accident at SSM Rehab/Nursing home in Wentzville.
 
For DANIELLE MEINE, a high school senior and friend to many in the congregation, who is dealing with cancer.
 
For TODD PONDER, former band teacher/director and friend to many at St. John's, who suffered a massive stroke and can't do anything but move his eyes.  He is unable to breathe on his own. Here is a link to a fund that was started to help the family as they will have astronomical hospital and rehab bills for a long time to come.   At the bottom of the page it also has updates as to his progress.  http://www.gofundme.com/hp1ed8?pc=mb_em

 

 

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.