Devotion and News: Thursday, January 22, 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:
Moses said to God, "Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me.  'What is his name?'  Then what shall I tell them?"  God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM.  This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM sent me to you."  Exodus 3:14-15

 
A lot of times I think that, because we don't see God face to face and we don't have His full presence right before us, we are a bit more bold to talk to him in such a way as to bring him down to our level.   We don't really know him in all the fullness off his glory and majesty.  We don't fear Him as we would if we saw Him in all His power.  We hear the folks who wrote the Scripture talk about His majesty and glory and try to explain it, but it is so far past our understanding that we don't really even try to fathom it. 
 
This is both good and bad.  It is good in that we can go to him like a child can go to his dad.  It is like if your dad was the CEO of a huge company  and had all this great and awesome power to run this company and all the people that worked for this company were fearful of him, but you just knew him as the loving dad that he was to you. 
 
It is bad in that we often try to bring Him down to our level and don't give Him the honor and respect he is due.  It is also bad in that we don't always regard His Word and His Will as the absolute truth that it is. 
 
Moses didn't know God.  He had never worshiped God.  He had no idea who God was.  Turns out that the voice he was speaking to in that burning bush was the great I AM.  He was and is YAHWEH!! 
 
The Hebrew word for I AM is YAHWEH!  He still is and always will be!  He is eternal!  He is the I AM!  Honor Him like He is with your whole life! 
 
Prayer:  Lord, make me to treat you with the respect, honor, and love that you deserve so that I may grow in my relationship with you like I should.  Amen.

 

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YESTERDAY"S QUIZ:     

 What does the name "Israel" mean?  He wrestles (strives)with God.  This is from the night, right before he met up with his brother Esau, that he wrestled with God from sun up to sun down.

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TODAY'S QUIZ:  Who was Moses' brother that became his spokesman?

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CALENDAR:  
Thurs- Praise Band practice 6pm; Carnival Committee meeting switched to next Thursday at 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:  

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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FOOD, FAITH, AND FAMILY NIGHT CONTINUES NEXT MONDAY!!
Come and join us every Monday at 6pm for a great time of food, fellowship and God's Word!!

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SPECIAL CONCERT ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19 @ 6PM!!

The Garms family, a southern gospel music group from Minnesota (I know the two don't go together, but you gotta hear them!!),  will be at St. John's on Thursday evening February 19th at 6pm!   It is a family of eight with wonderful voices and a tremendous desire to share the love of the Lord in music!  Mark your calendars right now to come on out for a night of music!!

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CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS ARE IN YOUR CHURCH MAILBOXES!!

Make sure you get them and use them for tax purposes, but also to take stock in how much you gave versus how much you had decided in your heart to give last year!

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HOME CARE AIDES NEEDED IN WARRENTON--- 

Day shift-- part time.  Pay is $9 per hour. 

If interested contact Star Resource, Beth Murray at 314-432-7827

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YOU CAN BRIGHTEN UP THE SANCTUARY ON SUNDAY MORNINGS!!!

Altar flowers are a wonderful way to share joy at a birthday or anniversary or to honor someone's memory!  Altar flowers are $25.  Call Marilyn if you'd like to brighten up the church and honor someone you love at the same time!  456-2888!!  Or you can sign up on the flower chart in the narthex located on the bulletin board. 

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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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PRAYER REQUESTS:

 

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 DENISE SCHLESSELMANN as she continues to work hard to bring the people of the Czech Republic to Christ. .
 
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.