Thursday, July 23, 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). 

 

"Someone to Devour" 
July 23, 2015  
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 1 Peter 5:8-9
Beginning a job at a local shipyard, St. Louis native Tommie Woodward recently moved to Orange, Texas. He was settling into life in the Lone Star State, but he hadn't yet learned all the rules for working and playing in the waters around Burkart's Marina.

For example, when he said he was going for a swim at 2:30 in the morning, the locals pleaded with him not to do so. They explained that alligators, including a "big" alligator, had been spotted in those waters.

Woodward's reply -- made immediately before he jumped in -- made it clear he had little respect for these large-toothed beasties.

According to those who were there, no sooner had Woodward gone in the water than he was dragged under. He managed to surface for a few seconds ... a few seconds during which he screamed for help. In a moment, he disappeared again. Most of Woodward's body was found a few hours later. In retaliation the alligator has been eliminated, and Woodward's recovered remains are being sent back home. Experts say it was the first alligator-caused death in Texas since 1836.

Woodward's story is a sad tale. It is especially tragic because if he had paid attention to the warnings of people who cared about him, there is every reason to believe he would probably still be alive.

The same thing can be said for us.

In his Epistle, Peter tells us to beware of Satan, who, like a roaring lion, is set on devouring unsuspecting and over-confident souls. Peter knows that Jesus has given His life to save us, has conquered death and grave to redeem us. That means as long as we stay with the Savior we are safe and secure.

But staying with the Savior also means we don't flirt with the devil and his temptations. We don't try to see how close we can get to this spiritual predator. He's quick; he's strong, he's sneaky, and we're his intended prey.

This is why it's sensible for Jesus' friends to always keep a respectable distance from their enemy.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, I give thanks for the victory Jesus has won for me through His life, death and resurrection. Please keep me from being foolish and flirting with my old evil foe, the devil. Help me remember that Jesus has saved me, but Satan still wishes to devour me. This I ask in the Savior's Name. Amen.

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LAST TIME'S QUIZ:  What approximate dates did Nahum write his prophecy? 663-612
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TODAY'S QUIZ: How long did Josiah reign as King?
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CALENDAR:
Sat- Worship 5
Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45
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WORSHIP WORKERS:  
Acolyte-  8:30- Dawn Sherman; 11- Kailyn Blechle
Ushers-  Marv Hendershot, Don Luebke, Dave Callies, Don Nolte
Altar- Set up- Marilyn Foster and Sue Ruhl; Clean Up- Don and Ann Panhorst
Communion Assistants- Sat- John Hachtel; 8:30- Rich Talbert; 11- Jim Rahn
Greeters- 8:30- Don Nolte; 11- Dan and Lisa Rausch
Lay readers- Sat- John Hachtel 8:30- Allan Dreyer  11- Jim Rahn
Sat. Pianist- Molly Hendershot
Sun Pianist- none
Projectionists: Sat- ?????; Sun- 8:30- Schaumberg; 11-??????
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NEWS:
OUR FIRST ANNUAL FALL CARNIVAL WILL BE HELD SEPTEMBER 12, 11am-7pm !!!

There is a big need for workers, especially young folks and young families!  Kids are more than welcome to help as well!  Please reply to this email with your willingness to help!!  We need people to be gofers, run games, help with food, and everything else you can think of!  PLEASE VOLUNTEER!!!
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DO YOU HAVE A KROGER CARD?  ENROLL IT IN THE COMMUNITY REWARDS PROGRAM!!!
Register it online www.krogercommunityrewards.com and have it swiped each time you shop to earn money for Little Lambs. 
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IT'S ORGANIST MELISSA PETERSEN'S LAST SUNDAY THIS SUNDAY
Please feel free to bring cards, letters, and gifts of thanks for her faithful service to us over the last three years. 
 
She is moving to Fort Dodge, Iowa to resume her full time teaching career.
 
Rachel Fischer will begin as our new organist on August 9.  
 
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THANK YOU AND SUPPORT LUNCHEON FOR DENISE SCHLESSELMANN SUNDAY, AUGUST 2 AT NOON!!

Everyone is invited, but we'd like you to either sign up on the sheet in the narthex by this coming Sunday or call the church office to let us know you are coming so we have a good idea of who will be there. 

 

Denise will be sharing what she has experienced in her ministry over the last year and what she will be doing in the year to come. 

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SEVENTH ANNUAL GOLF OUTING WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 8 AT COUNTRY LAKES!!!  SIGN UP TODAY!!

 Cost is still ONLY $50 per person

 Format is a 2 TWO person scramble this year. 

 Registration at 7am

 Shotgun start at 8am

 Lunch and prizes at 1pm

 Holes can be sponsored for $50 each.

 All proceeds go to benefit our wonderful Little Lambs preschool.

 Flyers are available on the counter in the narthex for those wishing to participate.

Call Alan Hofeldt at 456-3070 or the church office at 456-2888 to sign up you and 

 

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RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE HERE AT CHURCH ON TUESDAY, JULY 28!!

Volunteers are needed before the drive to make calls and set up appointments and the day of the drive to help out.  DONORS are also needed of course!  If you can help in any way call 456-2888 to let Marilyn know.

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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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PRAYER REQUESTS: 

For GENE HILGENDDORF who had a motorcycle accident on Tuesday.  He has 5 fractured ribs, bad road rash on his arm and a badly bruised kidney.  His helmet saved his life. 

 

For MELISSA PEDERSEN (our current organist) as she and her husband move to Fort Dodge, IA to resume her teaching career.

 

For DICK PETERSON, as he and Nancy travel to South Dakota  to see their son in law get ordained.

 

For MARIANNE LINKE as she continues to recover slowly from weakness. shortness of breath, and severe arthritis troubles. 

 

For DENISE SCHLESSELMANN as she is in the USA for a short furlough and as she travels to gain more support for her mission work.

 

For CORA CLUVER'S DAD, who is recovering from a severe motorcycle accident that paralyzed him from the neck down.  

 

For DAVE AND CAROL KOHRS, who are BOTH on hospice care.

 

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 WILMA WEIGLE as she continues to deal with the after effects of a severe stroke almost two years ago.  


  

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