Devotion and News: Thursday, January 29, 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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Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
By Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour
 
Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin!  Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM). 

 

"No Age of Consent"  
January 29, 2015

My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent. Proverbs 1:10
Forty-six-year-old Philip Harper showed up at his local pub wearing a SWAT cap and showing off his new bulletproof vest.

With obvious pride and considerable confidence in his vest Mr. Harper asked if there was anyone who might be willing to help him test it out. Nobody took him up on the offer. Not so the next day. The next day was when one of Harper's friends, a British truck driver named Ian Catley, said he would be glad to be of assistance.

The two men put about 20 feet between them. Catley aimed his shotgun and fired. He hit his friend's bulletproof vest dead center. In rapid succession the following happened:

1. The men found out the bulletproof vest wasn't.

2. They realized the plastic-lined vest had served as a funnel, concentrating the shotgun's blast. Immediately, Catley rushed his pal to the hospital where Harper was pronounced dead.

Mr. Catley went on trial for the murder of his buddy. In his ruling, among other things, the judge acknowledged Catley's "remorse is complete and genuine" and "the effects of killing your good friend will last with you for the rest of your life." Then the judge chided: the risk of death or serious injury should have been "absolutely obvious."

Now I might not mention the story at all if, last year, there hadn't been a situation in South Carolina, and another in Maryland, where people died after their friends missed their bulletproof vests and killed them. They also had flirted with "absolutely obvious" danger, and they had lost.

No doubt you are saying, "That's unbelievable! Nobody would do anything that crazy!"

Well, my friends, people do flirt with dangerous temptations, and they do it regularly. Adam and Eve brought sin into this world when they disregarded their Creator and followed the suggestions of a talking snake. Time and again we humans have looked at a temptation and thought, "Hey, I can handle that dangerous situation."

We think it, but we can't.

And we don't.

This is why the loving Lord has given us a very simple bit of advice: He has told us not to go along with someone who is inviting us to sin. It's so obvious a bit of wisdom it shouldn't even need to be said.

We should know not to flirt with danger ... but we don't, which is why we should listen.

We should listen to the Lord who loves us and has given His Son to save us from our sin and rescue us after we've gotten too close to temptation.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, forgive us from being over-confident. Let us realize that we are not as smart as we think, as strong as we believe, or as upstanding as we had hoped. We are sinners in need of a Savior -- sinners who need help and assistance to get through the day. May I give thanks that in the Holy Spirit and my Savior, that assistance is there. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
In Christ I remain His servant and yours,


Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour^®
Lutheran Hour Ministries
 

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YESTERDAY"S QUIZ:  What was the sin that Moses committed that kept him from entering the Promised Land?
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TODAY'S QUIZ:  What was the curtain for the entrance to the tent of meeting made out of?

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CALENDAR:  

Thurs- Praise Band practice 6pm; Carnival Committee meeting 6pm; FCA Worship service at HS 7pm

Sat- worship 5pm

Sun- worship 8, Sunday school 9:45; worship 11

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WORSHIP WORKERS:  
Acolyte- 8:30- Dustin Toedebusch, 11- Jacob Winn
Ushers- Marv Hendershot, Don Luebke, Dave Callies, Don Nolte
Altar- Set up- Lucille Luebke; Clean Up- Terry McKenzie
Communion Assistants- Sat- Charlie Figura; 8:30- Steve McDowell; 11- Dave Winter
Greeters- 8:30- John Fahrni  11- Dave and Lil Winter
Lay readers- Sat- Sandra Perricone  8:30- Steve Mc Dowell; 11- Jennifer Figura
Sat Pianist- Kathy Barrow

Sunday pianist 8:30- Barb Dreyer; 11am- Doug Walters
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NEWS:   

FOOD, FAITH, AND FAMILY NIGHT THE NEXT TWO MONDAYS!!!!  (We will take a break from it during Lent to make way for our midweek Lenten suppers and worship.)

 

THIS COMING MONDAY'S FOOD THEME IS MEXICAN!  Bring a Mexican dish, salad or dessert to share!

 

Did you miss it?  Make plans to come next Monday!  It's only an hour and super is included!! 

 

Come and enjoy a lot of good home cooking, and a half hour of Bible study and devotion!

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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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THANKS TO RUTH AND DOUG WALTERS FOR BRINGING THE DONUTS FOR THIS COMING SUNDAY!!
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WE ARE STILL IN NEED OF A DELEGATE TO OUR MISSOURI DISTRICT CONVENTION ON JUNE 14-18 IN SPRINGFIELD, MO!!

You will represent your congregation ass we elect a new district president and other officers of the district and set direction for the next three years.  It is an honor and it is interesting to do!

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NEW ELDER GROUPS HAVE BEEN FORMED

The person assigned to be your elder may have changed!!  New lists will be posted asap.  If you need to know who your elder is before they are posted, call the church office. 

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BLUE ENVELOPES

When using the blue offering envelopes for either the Building fund or the DCE fund, please mark them accordingly.  There have been some mix ups recently.

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A NEW ST JOHN'S YELLOW PAGES TO BE PUT TOGETHER

We are attempting to collect your business cards and print them in the monthly newsletter as advertising.  It will be free to member businesses.  Many times members call and ask if there are members in the congregation that are in a certain business or profession.  People would rather do business with a church family member if possible.  Bring your cards to the church office asap as we will start this with the March newsletter. 

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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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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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PRAYER REQUESTS:

A PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING For JOHN AND JO FAHRNI'S DAUGHTER JENNIFER, whose endometrial biopsy showed no signs of cancer.  They are cautiously optimistic that there will be no cancer found after her hysterectomy and removal of ovaries.. 

 

For CLAIRE JOHNSON who is nearing the end of her life due to a mass on her lung. 

 

For ROSETTA JONES who is recovering from a fall and a broken collar bone.

 

For WILMA WEIGLE as she continues to deal with many health problems relating from a stroke.

 

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.  He is back int the nursing home.

 

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