Monday, March 23, 2015

DEVOTION:  The woman gave birth to a boy and named him Samson.  Judges 13:24
 
We see this theme over and over again.  A woman is unable to conceive.  The Lord, through an angel, visits the woman and promises her a child.  The woman has the child.  The child grows to become a leader of the people.  Even though the leader always seems to have a flaw, God uses the man to do great things. 
 
So it was with Samson.  He was a Nazirite.  That meant he was set apart for the Lord's work even before he was born.  Samuel was a Nazirite.  Elijah was a Nazirite.  And John the Baptist was a Nazirite.  All were set apart for the Lord's work and all did great things.  Yet they were also all humans. 
 
Samson was no different.  His fatal flaw was being enticed and attracted to beautiful, yet foreign and unbelieving women.  Delilah was one of them.   Delilah was able to get him drunk and cut off all his hair, which was against the Nazirite vow.   When he broke the vow he and his parents had made to God, God's strength left him. 
 
Still, at the end, when he repented, even though his eyes had been gouged out, his strength gone, and doomed for death, God gave him back his strength one last time to do His purpose of defeating the Philistines. 
 
God can use us too!  In spite of our selfishness, sinfulness, and many weaknesses; God can work through us to perform His will.  The best thing for us to do is simply as Him for the power, strength, and ability to do what needs to be done and then get out of the way and let Him work His power.   How do you think God wants to use you today?
 
Prayer: Lord, you know my weaknesses and shortcomings, in spite of them, use us to serve you and love others!  Help us to stand back and let you work through us.  Amen.
 
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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.
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:     Who was Gideon?  Gideon was a judge who led Israel in many battles and won, even though they seemed weak and unable to win.  

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TODAY'S QUIZ: What was Samson's dad's name?

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CALENDAR: 

Mon- Confirmation 5-6:15

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

Wed- Supper 5:30; Worship 6:30; Choir 7:15
Thurs- Karate 5:30; Praise band practice 6pm

Fri- Newsletter assembly 9am
Sat- WORK DAY 8-noon; Worship 5pm
Sun- PALM SUNDAY Worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; Worship 11; Choir rehearsal 9:45
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WORSHIP WORKERS:  
Acolyte-  Wed-  Jacob Winn; 8:30- Ian Brunson, 11- Kailyn Blechle
Ushers-  Wed- Marv Hendershot, Don Luebke, Don Nolte, Dave Callies: Sun- Figura family
Altar- Wed Candles Terry Mckenzie; Sun Set up- Cheri' Hofeldt, Clean Up- Lynn Russell and Elaine Schauer
Communion Assistants- Sat- Randy Fischer; 8:30- Don Turnure; 11- Charlie Figura
Greeters- 8:30- Rob and Julie Schaumberg 11- Dan and Lisa Rausch
Lay readers- Sat- Marcia Sevier; 8:30- Sandra Perricone ; 11- Kailyn Blechle
Sat Pianist- Molly Hendershot
Organist: Melissa Pedersen
Projectionists: Sat- Perricone; 8:30- Terry McKenzie; 11- ??????
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NEWS: 

OUR CHOIR BEGINS THEIR SPECIAL CANTATA "Come Walk With Me" THIS SUNDAY, PALM SUNDAY!!

Invite your friends, especially those without a church, to "Come Walk With Us" through holy week! 

 

There is no other week like it in all the church year.  It is a wonderful experience as we walk with the disciples and Jesus through Palm, Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Resurrection Sunday! 

 

Please make every effort to be at St. john's at every worship!  You will be blessed! 

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A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE WAS HAD BY ALL AT CAMP WINDERMERE THIS PAST WEEKEND!

Thirteen 7th and 8th graders, Gary Hoelscher, Tammy Miller, Kelsey Overbeck, and Pastor went to Camp Windermere where they spent the weekend with 450 other 6-8 graders from around the Missouri District.

 

All were filled with the Holy Spirit as they sang, listened to speakers, ate lots of good food, and wore themselves out as they had lots of fun at the camp playing basketball, hiking, going to the gift shop, and meeting new Christian friends! 

 

A special thank you to all who have and continue to support this special endeavor to help youth grow in their faith so that they can continue in that faith through adulthood all the way to eternal life. 

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STEPHEN MINISTRY NEEDS YOU!!

Stephen Ministry Leadership Training will be held April 12-18, 2015 in St. Louis at a hotel near the airport.  If anyone is interested in being part of this ministry, and wants more details, call Joanne Hachtel, 636-745-8711.

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RESULTS OF SPECIAL VOTER'S MEETING

After a presentation by Kent Jacobsmeyer, and a bit of discussion, It was decided by the voters that there would be two committees set up to move us forward in a timely manner with this bulding project.  Volunteers are welcome and needed for both committees, but especially the finance committee.

 

Brief Explanation and duties of committees: 

 

1. Planning Committee

Who/How many?  6-10 voting members

 

How long? Approximately 3-6 months

 

What to do? (Scope off work)-- Communicate with members of St. John's to determine what our needs and goals of a building are.  Work to develop "Scope off work" that is used to determine if current plan meets our needs or a new plan needs to be developed to meet the current needs of the church.

 

Attributes of committee members- creativity, communication, ability to network with all members of the church

 

Outside assistance: Elmer Wind, Wind architecture has volunteered his time to assist in helping the Planning committee develop a proper scope of work and the criteria to look at when selecting an architect.

 

2. Finance Committee:

Who/how many- 1-3 voting members

Term- beginning to end of project

 

Task- Provide the voice of fiscal responsibility  when determining the building project's needs vs. wants and be the checks and balances when decisions are made where capital is required and expenses are incurred.

 

Attributes needed- strong fiscal understanding, fund raising capabilities, analytical

 

Outside assistance, Dennis Klussmann with LCEF has worked with several church in the same situation as we are in now.  Dennis can work with us to help us determine the availability of financing as well as general guidelines of Capital Campaign programs.

 

 

Both of these committees will begin their work as soon as they can be established and a meeting date and time can be reached. 

 

Please pray for them as they work for the good of the church and as God guides them! 

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LAST MIDWEEK LENTEN SUPPER AND WORSHIP Wednesday, SUPPER 5:30; WORSHIP 6:30!!
 
Menu: Fried chicken, potatoes, corn, rolls, and DESSERT
 
Worship Theme:  "Calling Us Home..... "
 
Invite your friends and neighbors!!  Enjoy some good food, great fellowship, and God's Word all in the span of two hours!!

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CHURCH WORK DAY SATURDAY, MARCH 28 8am-noon!!

 

The board of trustees needs your help!!

 

All sorts of work will need to get done!  Bring your tools, paint brushes, gloves, and whatever else you may have that would be useful for work!

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FELLOWSHIP REFRESHMENT SIGN UP SHEET NEEDS TO GET FILLED UP!!!
Here's what we have so far:
Mar 29- Erv Yoder
Apr 5-  EASTER BREAKFAST
Apr 12- Hachtels
Apr 19- ???
Apr. 26- ???
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ST. JOHN'S YELLOW PAGES
If you didn't get your business card in this month's newsletter get them in to the office for the April newsletter!! This advertising is free to members.  Many times members call and ask if there are members who are in a certain business or profession.  People would always rather do business with fellow church members when they can.
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DO YOU HAVE A KROGER CARD?  ENROLL IT IN THE COMMUNITY REWARDS PROGRAM!!!
Register online and have it swiped each time you shop. 
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SAVE THE DATE!!!!  OUR FIRST ANNUAL FALL CARNIVAL WILL BE HELD SEPTEMBER 12, 2015!!!
We are looking for ideas for carnival games and also donations of carnival game prizes for the vent.  Please donate prizes into the cardboard box in the narthex.  Also, if any one has an idea for a carnival game, or a game itself they would like to donate please contact Joanna Hoelscher at 636-485-0635 or Karla Christophene at 314-397-1375.

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TRAVELING FELLOWSHIP GROUP TRIP TO THE CLYDESDALE FARM AND THE JEFFERSON CITY STATE PENITENTIARY ON SATURDAY APRIL 11!!
We will visit the Warm Springs Ranch, World headquarters of the Budweiser Clydesdale OPERATION.  After the tour of the ranch and some refreshments compliments of Budweiser, we will enjoy lunch at Settler's Inn.  After that we are on to Jeff City for a tour of the historic Missouri State Penitentiary.  An ICE CREAM BREAK us scheduled at Central dairy to round out the day.  Reservations and tickets have to be purchased so it is NECESSARY that you SIGN UP NOW!!!  Complete cost will be determined by number of people going. 
 
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PRAYER REQUESTS:

For  John Wehmueller, brother in law of Tony Perricone, who has just been diagnosed with prostrate cancer and will soon begin treatment.

 

For Brenda Schouten, aunt of Ptony Perricone, who has been treated for a cancerous tumor around her aorta. Although currently being treated with chemo, the tumor has grown about an inch larger than last month.

For OUR CONGREGATION AS WE SLOWLY MOVE FORWARD WITH OUR BUILDING PROGRAM!!

 

For OUR DCE, KELSEY OVERBECK, that the Lord moves a congregation in need of her abilities to call her into full time DCE ministry.

 

For DAVE KOHRS who began chemo treatment last Tuesday. 

 

For DAVE TINNIN'S MOM, JANE, as she continues to recover from several strokes and seizures.
 
For WILMA WEIGLE as she is having a lot of difficulty with congestion and possible pneumonia. .

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

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