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).
"Returned"
August 18, 2015
(Jesus said) "I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of My hand." John 10:28In 1734 Antonio Stradivari made a violin.
Today, in various states of repair, there are approximately 550 of those instruments still around. One of them, a good one, was owned by a concert violinist, Roman Totenberg. When Totenberg bought the violin in 1943, he paid $15,000 for it. Translated into today's dollars, that's about $200,000.
It was the only violin he played, until 1980 when he left the instrument in his office while he shook hands with some well-wishers after a concert. When Totenberg came back to his office, the Stradivarius had disappeared.
He told his family it was "like losing an arm."
A report was filed; possible suspects were considered; the police made a search, and then -- when hope was gone -- Totenberg gave up, bought another violin, and finished out his life. He died three years ago at the age of 101.
That might have been the end of the story, but it isn't.
This past June a lady went to a New York instrument dealer to have her deceased husband's violin appraised. The dealer immediately recognized the instrument as a Stradivarius and, after further investigation, identified it as the stolen violin.
He called the police.
When confronted, the woman -- who knew nothing of its history -- voluntarily gave the violin to the FBI, which have returned it to the Totenberg family, who were incredibly thankful.
Now you who are regular Daily Devotion readers think you know where this lesson is going.
You probably are thinking I am going to speak about the similarities between the theft of Totenberg's violin and Satan's theft of our souls. That would be a possible comparison, but I'm not going that way. That's because the Totenberg violin was rediscovered by accident, and it was gladly returned. In contrast, the recovery of our souls was a definite plan of the Lord and to bring us home, God's Son, our Savior, gave His life to redeem us.
No, we can't go that way.
What I would like to talk about in this devo is the rest of the story. The rest of the story is this: Totenberg's three daughters have decided they are going to have the violin cleaned up and then they are going to sell it to some violinist who is worthy of the instrument.
That, my friends, is not what our Heavenly Father is going to do with those souls, which have been returned to Him through Jesus' sacrifice. No, He is going to keep those souls forever. Jesus said nobody will ever steal us away from His Father's hands (see John 10:29).
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, I give thanks that Jesus has paid the ransom price which has returned the souls of believers to the Heavenly Father. I pray the whole world may know the security of the Father's love and grace. In Jesus' Name I pray it. Amen.
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LAST TIME'S QUIZ: What did God tell Ezekiel to do to show the Israelites that they would soon be going into exile?
"During the daytime, while they watch, , bring out your belongings packed for exile. Then, in the evening, while they are watching, go out like those who go into exile. While they watch dig a hole through the wall and take your belongings out through it. Put them on your shoulder as they are watching and carry them out at dusk. Cover your face so that you cannot see the land, for I have made you a sign for the house of Israel." Ezekiel 12:3-6
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TODAY'S QUIZ: Where would Babylon be located today?
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CALENDAR:
Tues- First day of Little Lambs three year old class; Quilting 9-2; Bible Study 11:30-12:15
Wed- Ladies Aid noon; Newsletter deadline
Thurs- Hellebusch/Neeley wedding rehearsal 6:30; Karate 6:15-7:45
Fri- Bible Study at Hendershot's 7pm
Sat- Bus trip leaves 1pm; Wedding- 1:30; Worship 5
Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45
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WORSHIP WORKERS:
Acolyte- 8:30- Hannah Johnson; 11- Cara Klaustermeier
Ushers- Scott and Alex Heitgerd, Bob and Tom Linke
Altar- Set up- Cheri' Hofeldt; Clean Up- Betty Schirr and Cheryl Bettlach
Communion Assistants- Sat- Don Turnure; 8:30- John Hachtel; 11- Steve Robine
Greeters- 8:30- John and Anna Hoenig; 11- Dan and Lisa Rausch
Lay readers- Sat- Sandra Perricone 8:30- John Hachtel 11- Steve Robine
Sat. Pianist- Molly Hendershot
Organist- Rachel Fisher
Projectionists: Sat- Pam Bueltmann; Sun- 8:30- Terry McKenzie
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NEWS!!!! PLEASE READ IT ALL!!!!
KELSEY OVERBECK WILL BE INSTALLED THIS SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, at 11am FOLLOWED BY A TACO BAR LUNCH AT NOON!!!
Come and show your support for her and give her God's blessings.
Call church or Karin Klaustermeier to let us know you're coming for lunch!!!
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LUTHERANS FOR LIFE NEEDS YOUR HELP
Due to some unfortunate circumstances, Thrivent is no longer financially supporting Lutherans for Life. This was a huge portion of their yearly income. Therefore they are in need of your help. They need the congregations and individuals within the congregations who support Lutherans for Life to give an extra offering to them to replace the funds that Thrivent has taken away.
Yesterday we had a door offering for this cause and many of you gave generously! Thank you! If you weren't here or were unable to give yesterday you can still give. Just go to www.LutheransforLife.org and click on the "Give" tab. You can also find all the information you need to know on their website.
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PASTOR WILL BE ON 850 AM and www.KFUOAM.org THIS WEDNESDAY AT 11AM!!!
He will be doing a Bible study on 2 Corinthians 13 "Final Warnings". Tune in to hear him!
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WE NEED YOUR HELP WITH THE CARNIVAL ON SEPTEMBER 12 from 11am-7pm
The carnival committee is in need of the following items for our carnival on Sept. 12!!
1. POP UP CANOPIES-- for stations and coolers. Make sure yours is marked clearly with your name so you get it back.
2. EMAIL ADDRESSES-- If we have your email address you will get an invitation to share with others and a coupon to use for free food. This email list will not be used for any other purpose.
#. VOLUNTEERS!!! It will take a small army to make this the huge success we want it to be!! Please sign up on the counter in the narthex or call the church office!
Here is the link to find out more about it.
warroomthemovie.com
It is called "First Step Back Home. It is run by Paul and Lana Kruse.
Attached you will find their newsletter and a flyer for a concert coming up at Warrenton Christian Church to support them.
Here's a link to their website.
www.firststepbackhome.net
Check it out and see if this is an organization that could use your help as a volunteer or as a donor
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UPDATED CHURCH DIRECTORIES ARE IN YOUR CHURCH MAILBOXES!
You'll have to come to church to pick them up!
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Do you enjoy the outdoors? Do you like to float down lazy rivers with friends? Do you enjoy rafts and coolers filled with all sorts of beverages and snacks? Then sign up and join us for the fourth annual Labor Day float trip!
DETAILS:
1. We will once again go through Ozark Outdoors.
A. Canoe rental is $20 per person. A child can ride for free as the THIRD person in the canoe.
B. Single person kayaks are available at $28 per person.
C. Rafts are available at $29 per person. Children 7-12 yrs old can ride for $15 and children under 7 are free if raft minimums are met.
D. Tubes are $25 per person
E. Rides on the bus are $30 a person if you have your own equipment.
2. ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT IS IT IS A FLOAT AND NOT A RACE! Float a little, stop, have a snakcc and a drink, wait for the rest of the group and then move on.
3. What will you need? Sunglasses, sunscreen, hat, cooler, drinks, lunch, and a positive attitude.
4. Contact Teresa Scott to sign up tscott@usmo.com , 359-5041, or Schraer Heating and Cooling at 456-5041. When signing up please provide your email address and BEST contact number.
5. If you choose to spend the weekend down there, please make camping, hotel, or cabin arrangements through Ozark Outdoors, www.ozarkoutdoors.net or with Onondaga State Park. Currently there are reservable basic sites available for the weekend at Onandaga.
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UNMARKED BLUE ENVELOPE CONTRIBUTIONS ARE GOING TO THE BUILDING EXPANSION PROGRAM
If you'd like it to go to the DCE fund you need to mark it for that! Please make sure you mark the ENVELOPE clearly for the DCE PROGRAM!
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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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Dave Callies-
Mark Christophene- began a new job and is away from his family during the week because of work
Tuesday:
Charlie Sue Cleveland-
Wednesday:
Jason Cluver- for continued good health and for safety on is job as a state patrol officer.
Thursday:
Hailey Coleman
Friday:
Kendra Coleman
Saturday:
Sharon Cunningham
GENERAL PRAYERS:
For MARILYN FOSTER'S SISTER MARCIE, as she is dealing with an infection after surgery, and is having another surgery today to deal with that infection.
For the GLASTETTER FAMILY (Marcella Linke's family) as her brother TONY died in a car accident yesterday morning.
For NINA BRENDEL, Barb Dreyer's mom, as she is recovering from hip replacement surgery.
For JOYCE SCHIEN as she is being placed into hospice care today. (She and Ken moved down to a nursing home in Oklahoma close to their son a year and a half ago.)
For GENE HILGENDDORF as he continues to recover from a motorcycle accident.
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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