Thursday, May 21, 2015

DEVOTION:  1 Peter 1:6-7  "In this you rejoice, though now for a while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith-- more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire-- may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."
 
As I have sat and watched Cara suffer quite a bit the last couple days, I was reminded of this verse.  I'm also reminded of the saying, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." 
 
As much as I want to help Cara and as much as I just want to take the pain away from her, I know that this "testing", this "trial"  will give her a bigger and greater perspective and will make her a tougher more resolute and resilient human being. She is going to have a story to tell her own kids some day.  She will also be able to relate to those who are truly suffering better as well. 
 
The main thing is that she will have at least a little better understanding of what Jesus went through on the cross.  It wasn't the pretty thing we make it out to be on our crucifixes and pretty cross pictures.  It was gory.  It was excruciatingly painful.  It was the worst pain anyone could ever go through.  Then imagine all that physical pain and to top it all off, being forsaken by the Father, suffering actual hell.  Nothing can compare. 
 
Being in pain also helps you to realize how helpless and out of control you really are.  It makes you, forces you, to rely on the Lord Almighty for help, strength, and your very life. 
 
Soon Cara's pain will be gone and this will be a distant memory for her.  Right now it is acute and real.... and it is good.  It is good because as Paul says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  Cara is learning that full well today!  Praise be to God!
 
Prayer: Thank you God for carrying Cara through this journey.  Help her to bear the pain with confidence that you are with her and that you are strengthening her through it.  Amen. 
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:  
What did Solomon ask for when God told him to ask for anything he wanted? 
2 Chronicles 1:7-12   Wisdom and Knowledge were requested by Solomon.  Because he did not ask for riches, wealth or

honor God gave him all the riches and honor any king ever had or ever will have.  By the way, the wisdom and knowledge

were granted.

 

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TODAY'S QUIZ:
Fill in the blank:  A fool's lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating.
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CALENDAR:

Fri- Last day of school (1/2 day)
Sat- Worship 5
Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45
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WORSHIP WORKERS:  
Acolyte-  8:30- Dustin Toedebusch; 11- Kailyn Blechle
Ushers-  8:30- George, Gary, and Ben Hoelscher, and Brent Davis
Altar- Set up- Lucille Luebke; Clean Up- Lynn Russell and Elaine Schauer
Communion Assistants- Sat- Dave Winter; 8:30- Rich Talbert; 11- Steve Robine
Greeters- 8:30- Sharon Spoede; 11- Mike and Naomi Johnson
Lay readers- Sat- Kathy Fischer?? 8:30- Jacob Nagel  11- Steve Robine
Organist: Melissa Pedersen
Pianist- Kathy Barrow
Projectionists: Sat- Pam Bueltmann; 8:30- Kailyn Blechle; 11am- Hannah Johnson

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NEWS:

OUR FIRST BUILDING PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING WILL BE NEXT WEDNESDAY, MAY 27 AT 7PM!

Elmer Wind with LCEF and Wind Architecture will be there to give direction and to help us to move forward and go in the right direction. 

 

Many signed up to attend and participate in this meeting yesterday, but all are welcome to attend to hear what he has to say and to understand the procedure we will be following for the future of the building program. 

 

Please let us know you are coming by replying to this email!  Thanks!

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ORGANIST NEEDED

Our current organist, Melissa Pedersen, has accepted a call to teach in Fort Dodge, Iowa being in August.  Therefore we will need a new FULL TIME organist by then.  If you know of anyone who is available every Sunday, please give me their name and number!  THANK YOU!

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NURSERY HELPERS NEEDED FOR ONCE A MONTH DURING WORSHIP

Do you like little children?  Do you like to hold babies?  Do you want to help out our many young families that are joining church?   Here's your chance!

 

CURRENTLY FOR 11AM SERVICE I HAVE

Karla Christophene

Dawn Frye

Jayme Vessell

Nicky Sellman

 

(If I had one more for this service it would be excellent, especially when there are 5 Sundays in a month and when the person scheduled can't make it.)

 

If you'd like to do the 8:30 service or Saturday night, please let me know! 

 

You don't have to be a mom to do this.  You just have to love kids and be able to take care of them for an hour on Sunday morning.

 

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 PASTOR IS BIKING ACROSS MISSOURI JUNE 21-26!

As much as I need to get in shape, this is more to raise money for www.leadachild.org.   If you'd like to donate to this most worthy cause, go to the website, click on the donate button, find the space that says "Lead a Child Bible club, enter your amount and enter my name.  Then you can pay by check, e-check, or credit/debit card.

 

Thank you for your support!

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CALLING ALL BAKERS!!!
If you have never been involved in one of our church activities (and even if you have), here is a new challenge for you!!  There will be a cake/dessert booth at the carnival on September 12!  The carnival will be open from 11am until dusk!  Donations of baked good and workers to man the booth will be needed!!  Desserts needing refrigeration cannot be accepted.  Work shifts will be for two hours beginning at 10am and will go till closing time.  To eliminate many, many phone calls, a sign up sheet has been placed on the narthex where you can volunteer!! 

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LITTLE LAMBS IS ENROLLING NOW FOR THE 2015-16 SCHOOL YEAR!!

Only a few spaces left!  Get those registrations in today!!  Get your registration forms from the preschool or from the church office.

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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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PRAYER REQUESTS: 

For CARA KLAUSTERMEIER who is recovering from surgery to repair her sunken ribcage.  She will be in the hospital the rest of this week.

 

For CAROL KOHRS, who is hospitalized with another infection.

 

For MARV HENDERSHOT who is home and recovering after a brief hospitalization due to weakness and illness.

 

For BONNIE FRENZIA, who is hospitalized with a mass on her lung.

 

For OUR DCE INTERN, KELSEY OVERBECK, that the Lord's will is done concerning her call to a church to be a full time DCE.

 

For LIL WINTER who has gone home to recover after surgery

 

For MOLLY HENDERSHOT who is at home and recovering well.

 

For DAVE KOHRS who has stopped receiving chemo treatments and has placed himself on hospice care. .

 

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