Tuesday, March 3, 2015

DEVOTION:  "The person with such an infectious disease must wear torn clothes, let his hair be unkempt, cover the lower part of his face and cry out, 'Unclean!  Unclean!'  As long as he has the infectious disease he remains unclean.  He must live alone; he must live outside the camp.
 
Can you imagine it?  We do the same thing, except ours usually has an ending.  In those days it often did it.  An infectious disease was a death sentence or a life sentence of solitary confinement. 
 
If I were to imagine what hell is like, that is kind of what I imagine it to be for eternity.  We may be alone for a time in that we have no earthly  companion.  It stinks to be alone.  We don't like it. 
 
At the same time we are never really alone.  We always have Jesus!  He is always there.  As the old song goes, "He walks with me and He talks with me and He tells me I am His own.  And the joy we share as we tarry there none other has ever known. 
 
Hell is just the opposite.  Hell is the absence of God.  You think God is ignoring you now?  You think you have problems now?  Just imagine what it's like when God is really ignoring you.  Imagine what it was like for Jesus when he said, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?"  The forsakenness of God is nothing less than God being absent from your life forever.   No forgiveness.  No protection.  No care of physical or spiritual needs.  Nothing.
 
Right now, even though it doesn't seem like it, God is watching and guiding your every move.  he is caring for you.  He is loving you!  Just live in His love!  Stop rejecting it!  Stop denying it.  He is with you and He loves you! 
 
Let us pray:  Thank you for always being with me even when I don't realize it, know it, or appreciate!  I love you God!  Thank you for never leaving me.  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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TODAY'S QUIZ:  If a man suspected his wife of committing adultery, what were they to do so that the truth would be found out  (I'll leave this up one more day since no one answered it yesterday.)
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CALENDAR: 
Tues- Quilting 9-2; Bible study 11:30-12:15
Wed- Supper 5:30; Worship 6:30; Choir 7:15
Thurs- Alzheimers Support group 1pm; Karate 5:30; Praise Band practice 6-8pm
Sat- Worship 5pm; Turn clocks forward one hour
Sun- Worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; Choir rehearsal 9:45; Worship 11; Elders meeting noon
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WORSHIP WORKERS:  
Acolyte-  Wed- Gus Klaustermeier 8:30- Devin Miller, 11- George Pezold
Ushers-  Wed- George Hoelscher, Gary Hoelscher, Ben Hoelsccher, Brent Davis; Sun-Marv Hendershot, Don Luebke, Dave Callies, Don Nolte
Altar- Wed candles-- Terry McKenzie, Sun Set up- Lucille Luebke, Clean Up- Joanne Hachtel
Communion Assistants- Sat- Jim Rahn; 8:30- Rich Talbert; 11- Charlie Figura
Greeters- 8:30- Pam Linke 11- Charlie and Lynn Figura
Lay readers- Sat- Jim Rahn 8:30- Christy Winn; 11- Steve Robine
Sat Pianist- Barb Dreyer
Organist: Melissa Pedersen
Projectionists: Sat- Pam Bueltmann; Sun 8:30- Perricones  11- Jacob Cluver
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NEWS: 
FELLOWSHIP REFRESHMENT SIGN UP SHEET IS EMPTY!!!
Please sign up to bring donuts, muffins, or whatever you'd like to bring.  Four dozen donuts is usually more than enough!
 
THe PERRICONES have volunteered to bring donuts this Sunday!!  Thanks Tony and Sandra!
 
Who's next?
 
Reply to this email if you wanna sign up or just come to church and sign up on the sheet next to the coffee maker in the kitchen!!
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MIDWEEK LENTEN SUPPER AND WORSHIP THIS WEDNESDAY, SUPPER 5:30; WORSHIP 6:30!!
 
Menu:  Fried chicken, stuffing, green beans, apple sauce, desserts galore! 
 
Worship Theme:  You're Peculiar
 
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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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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Special Voters Meeting Concerning our Building Project, Sunday March 15^th, 12:30pm

(Immediately following the late service.)  Let your voices be heard!!!  We will begin with a potluck meal.  Please bring a dish or two to share!

We will be discussing the following:

1. Where we have been.

2. Where we want to go.

3. The roadblocks we have encountered, and ways to deal with these roadblocks.

4. Forming a planning committee to move forward

5. Forming a finance committee to provide checks and balances as we move forward

Join us to share your own positive ideas concerning our future building project and the direction it is heading.  ALL members are encouraged to attend and participate!!!

 

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SEMINARY JOBS AVAILABLE!!
There are both full and part time jobs open at Concordia Seminary in Clayton.  (My school).  Please submit your resume in confidence to humanresources@csl.edu,
 
or fax it to 314-505-7339
 
or submit it via US mail to Concordia Seminary Human Resources 801 Seminary Place, St Louis, MO 63105
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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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NOTES FROM THE TRUSTEES
1.  If you see (or hear) a property item that needs fixing, tell one of your trustees or let Marilyn know in the office.  We have plenty of guys who have the ability to do the work necessary!
 
2. A WORK DAY IS SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 28!!  8am-noon!!  Mark your calendars and gather your tools!!
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WE NEED READERS FOR HOLY WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!!  
BOTH FOR NARRATION AND FOR DRAMATIC PARTS OF VOICES OF PEOPLE FROM THE SCRIPTURES ARE NEEDED FOR HOLY WEEK!!

 
Here are the parts:
Narrator
Luke
John
Pontius Pilate
Jesus
 
Our choir is doing a Cantata (a compilation of songs and readings) beginning with Palm Sunday and going through to Easter.  They need some readers to be a part of this!!  If you'd be willing to help in this way please reply to this email or call me at 636-359-1061
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THE CHOIR NEEDS YOU FOR LENT AND ESPECIALLY HOLY WEEK!!!

The choir is preparing a cantata for Holy Week and Easter. Parts of it will be presented at 3 different services (Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday and Easter Sunday). It would be wonderful to have some additional voices. If you enjoy singing, please consider joining the choir from now until Easter. You will be blessed by it! Rehearsals are on Wednesdays from 7:00-8:30 in the balcony.

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TRAVELING FELLOWWSHIP 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 DAVE KOHRS who will begin chemo treatment as his cancer from a few years ago has returned. 
 
For DAVE TINNIN'S MOM, JANE, who remains in the ICU to control her seizures and to give her the rest she needs.   She has been unresponsive for a week.

 

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 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