Devotion and News: Monday, January 19, 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 said to one another, "Surely we are being punished because of our brother.  We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that's why this distress has come upon us.   Genesis 42: 21-22

 

Karma.  It's a word that is often used to describe the "bad luck" that people face because off something they've done wrong.  We think of it as what's coming to someone who's harmed us.  It's some sort of vengeance from God, or from nature, or whatever. 

 

The trouble is that it isn't a real thing.  It isn't true.  And here's why.  If what the sons of Jacob said was true, the punishment would have actually come.  They would have died in their sins.  Yet, the story continues that Joseph has mercy on them.  He doesn't treat them as their sins deserve.  Yes, they do have to go back and forth and convince their dad to let Benjamin come up with them.  Yes, they do spend twenty years in severe guilt, probably having nightmares about what they did to Joseph and how he pleaded with them to let him go.  They deserved to go through the same hell he did.  But they didn't.

 

Just the opposite happened.  Joseph forgave them and he saved them from certain death due to the severe drought and famine they were experiencing.  He saved them even though they treated him like a dog.  He saved them even though they left him to be a slave and to suffer at the hands of foreigners.  He had mercy and grace on them. 

 

In the same way God has mercy on us.  He doesn't give us as our sins deserve.  He doesn't let karma rain down on us.  He doesn't send us to hell.  Just the opposite.  He saves us!  Even though we continue to sin against him.  Even though we were guilty of putting him to death just as much as the people who shouted "Crucify him.  Crucify him."  He still gives us more grace!

 

So the next time you think God is punishing you for being bad, or the next time you wonder what you did to deserve whatever it is you are going through, remember that God doesn't give you as your sins deserve. 

 

Yes, the consequence of sin is death.  Yes, sometimes the trouble you go through is a direct result of the sin you committed.   If you kill someone you will probably go to jail.)  If you spend more money than you have and don't pay your bills you may get your car repossessed.  If you don't go to church like you should you will drift further and further away from Almighty God.   But that's not God getting you back.  It's not God being vengeful.  It is simply the result of being a sinner.   It is the result of you doing what God told you not to do or not doing what he told you to do. 

 

Still he doesn't send you to hell.  he doesn't let you rot forever.  He saves you from it.  He gives more grace.

 

Prayer:  Lord, help me to realize that the troubles I am gong through are not you getting me back for my sin, but only my own doing and a result of me simply being a sinner from birth.  Help me to recognize and understand your grace more and more each day.  Amen.

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YESTERDAY"S QUIZ ANSWER:      Who was Dinah?

Dinah was the sister of the twelve sons of Jacob.  She was raped by the men of Shechem.  When the brothers found out they tricked the men of Shechem into being circumcised and while they were still in pain because off the circumcision they took revenge on them by killing all of them. 

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TODAY'S QUIZ:  Who was Joseph's only full blood brother and the youngest of all the brothers?

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CALENDAR:  

Mon- Confirmation 5-6; Faith, Family, Food Night begins 6-7; Board of Outreach and Evangelism 7-8

Tues- Quilters 9-2; Bible study 11:30-12:15; Council meeting 7

Wed- Pastor's circuit meeting 9-3; Ladies Aid noon; Choir 7
Thurs- Karate 5:30pm-7:30pm; Praise Band practice 6pm; Carnival Committee meeting 6pm

Fri- Newsletter assembly
Sat- Worship 5pm
Sun- Worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; Worship 11; Kelsey @ Concordia, Seward for midyear conference
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WORSHIP WORKERS:  
Acolyte- 8:30- Dawn Sherman, 11- Sophie Tinnin
Ushers- George Hoelscher, Brent Davis, Gary Hoelscher, Ben Hoelscher
Altar- Set up- Marilyn Foster and Sue Ruhl; Clean Up- Lynn Russell and Elaine Schauer
Communion Assistants- Sat- Don Turnure; 8:30- John Hachtel; 11- Jim Rahn
Greeters- 8:30- Allan and Barb Dreyer  11- Dan and Lisa Rausch
Lay readers- Sat- Marcia Sevier 8:30- Jo Fahrni; 11- Jim Rahn
Sat Pianist- Kathy Barrow
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NEWS:  
FOOD, FAITH, AND FAMILY NIGHTS BEGIN TONIGHT AT 6PM!!
 
Do you like good, home cooked food?
 
Do you like to spend time with your church family?
 
Do you like to get into God's Word with your family? 
 
Do you  find the time constraints of work, school, and other obligations squeezing out that God time?
 
We have the perfect thing for you!  We are starting family nights next Monday, January 19 at 6pm!
 
We will begin with a carry in/potluck supper from 6-6:30 and end with a devotion/Bible study time from 6:30-7.  The Bible study will be for all ages and all knowledge levels.  
 
Please bring a dish to share with the rest of the group.  Anything is welcome, salad, side dish, pasta dish, meat, dessert.... anything you think would be good for this kind of group.  There will be no main dish (meat)provided.
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STEAK DINNER/AUCTION TICKETS ON SALE!!
Tickets are $25 a piece!!

Raffle Tickets for the $500 drawing are also available.  1 ticket for $10 or 11 tickets for $20. 
 
It is always a BLAST!!!  Get your tickets this weekend before or after one of our worship services or contact your favorite youth to buy them from one of them.  
 
For years this event has become known as a great place to get good deals on things and help out our youth program at the same time!! 

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PROJECTIONIST SCHEDULE:  Thanks to the many who signed up.  There are just a few left!  Let's get some new folks who want a way to help to participate in this!!  Here are the dates and times that are left.

Feb 1- 8:30-                            

 

Feb 15- 11am-

 

Feb 22- 8:30-                           11

 

Mar 29- 11am-

 

Apr 5- (Easter) 10-

 

Apr 12- 11am-

 

Apr. 26- 8:30-                         11-

 

May 3- 8:30-                           11-

 

May 10- 11am-

 

May 17- 11am-

 

June 21- 8:30-                        

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YOUTH SNOW TUBING OUTING THIS SATURDAY, JANUARY 24 AT HIDDEN VALLEY IN EUREKA

All kids in grades 1-12 are welcome to come along with their parents!!  Cost is $11 for members of St. John's and $22 for friends and other nonmembers. 

 

They will leave at 11:30 from church!  Depending on the number of people going there will be a big need for drivers. 

 

Deadline to register is Tuesday January 20!! 
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PRAYER REQUESTS:

For JASON CLUVER as he recovers from heart surgery to put in a stent in a major artery. 

 

For PAISLEY CHRISTOPHENE who was hospitalized this past week for extremely low hemoglobin levels due to prolonged illness, but is doing better today.

 

For DANIELLE MEINE, a senior at WHS, a friend to many kids at St. john's, and a rider on Karin's bus since kindergarten, who has a very serious form of cancer.

 

For ELTON TEMME, Harold Temme and Lois Frick's brother, who has had many seizures and is dealing with many other health problems.

 

For THE PEZOLD FAMILY as they have the memorial service for Lisa's dad this coming Saturday. .
 
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.

 

 

 

 

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