Thursday, May 7, 2015

 
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). 

 

"Our Final Farewells" 
May 7, 2015  
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14
Pastor's Note: The Content of This Devotion May Not Be Suitable for Children. Adults, Please Review First before Sharing with the Young Ones.

People die. That is a fact.

It is also a fact that those who are left behind, wishing to show respect for the dearly departed and desiring to do their best to provide a good afterlife for the deceased, have developed many interesting customs.

* In some Asian countries Joss Paper, fake counterfeit money, is burned so the dead person may have cash in the afterlife.

* Ancient Greeks put Charon's Obol, a coin, inside the mouth of the deceased. The money was to pay for a safe passage from the world of the living to the realm of the dead.

Last month China's Ministry of Culture has said it is going to try and change one common funeral practice of the people. In China it is believed a large funeral crowd is a good sign for a person's afterlife. The more people who attend a funeral, the better it will be for the deceased.

Problems in funeral attendance arise when a person has outlived all his family and friends, or when he was a dislikable individual, or when he wasn't very well known. The funerals for such people are very lonely events. To prevent such an embarrassing situation, the inventive Chinese have found a solution. No, they don't hire professional mourners like they did during the days of Jesus. That would be too simple, too boring.

To solve the problem of an unattended funeral, the Chinese are hiring strippers and pole dancers.

That's right. For about $322, a family can purchase the services of some very sexy dancers whose performances are guaranteed to increase the public's attendance at the final farewell festivities of a family member or friend.

For any number of reasons, it is not likely we will see that custom being embraced by the members of the Christian church in North America. The most important of those reasons is this: when a believer falls asleep in the Lord, they are given everything they need for eternal life.

Because of Jesus' successful substitution for us, because He has won forgiveness and salvation for us, there are no fees which need to be paid; no demons to be avoided; no skids which need to be greased to provide a blessed eternity.

Because of Jesus we have been washed, we have been sanctified and justified by the Redeemer and the Holy Spirit. There is simply nothing to be done by those who are going. And for those who are left behind? We can thank the Lord for all He has done to give us a blessed eternity.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, I give thanks my eternal happiness is not dependent on me, my mourners, or any gifts placed in my casket. May I always show my appreciation for the forgiveness and salvation Jesus has won for me. In His Name I pray it. Amen.

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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: What was Jesus' first miracle?  Jesus turned water into wine. 

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TODAY'S QUIZ:  Beside himself, who did Jesus raise from the dead?  (More than one possible answer.)

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CALENDAR:
Thurs- NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER Breakfast 6:30am; Worship 7am; Alzheimer's Caregivers support group 1pm
Sat- Men's breakfast 8am; Worship 5
Sun- Mother's Day; Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45
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WORSHIP WORKERS:  
Acolyte-  8:30- Patrick Schaumberg; 11- Jacob Winn
Ushers-  8:30- Dave Winter, Gary Scott, Larry Schulze, Scott Schulze
Altar- Set up- Linda Callies; Clean up- Joanne Hachtel
Communion Assistants- Sat- Rich Talbert; 8:30- Don Turnure; 11- Steve Robine
Greeters- 8:30- Doug and Ruth Walters; 11- Steve and Sandy Robine
Lay readers- Sat- Marcia Sevier 8:30- ????  11- Kailyn Blechle
Organist: Melissa Pedersen
Pianist- Kathy Barrow
Projectionists: Sat- Pam Bueltmann; 8:30- Schaumbergs; 11am- ??????

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NEWS:

 

NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER BREAKFAST AND SERVICE WAS WONDERFUL!!!

Thanks to Sandy Robine for organizing it and setting it up along with Steve and Kathy Fischer!  And thanks to all who donated food items!  Special thanks also to Peggy Williams for playing the organ for us!  And thanks to all of you who came!

 

MOST OF ALL, THANK YOU JESUS FOR HEARING AND ANSWERING OUR PRAYERS!

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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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MEN'S BREAKFAST SATURDAY AT 8AM!

 

Menu: Pancakes, sausage, bacon, scrambled eggs, fruit! 

 

We will conclude our study of the separation of church and state. 

 

Please RSVP so I know how many are coming!!

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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 LIL WINTER as she has moved to DePaul Rehab hospital.  She is recovering from having part of her colon removed. .

 

For MOLLY HENDERSHOT who will be going home Friday after a short stay at Delmar Gardens.   .

 

For JANE KESSEL (Freddie's wife) as she continues to recover from congestive heart troubles.

 

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

 

For BONNIE FRENZIA who is at home and continuing to recover. .

 

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

 

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. .