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).
"Love One Another"
August 13, 2015
(Jesus said) "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." John 15:12"Fantastic!"
When 94-year-old Shirley Batchelder looks back over her life, that is the one word which summarizes the decades: "Fantastic." When interviewed, Batchelder, a resident of Franklin, Tennessee, dusted off some of the high points. First on her list was the fact she had been married to the same man for over 57 years. That blessed bit of information was intensified by the fantastic fact that -- at least in her opinion -- her husband was as "handsome as can be."
But there were other things that were listed as this lady celebrated her "fantastic" life:
There were three children and plenty of grandchildren.
There was the time she met her idols: Pat Sajak and Vanna White.
There are the games she hosts at Steeple Chase Manor Retirement.
And then, of course, there was her television ad.
For a long time Batchelder has been checking things off her "bucket list" -- that is, things she would like to do before she casts off this mortal coil. Her television ad was the last item on her list.
Now you may be permitted to wonder, what kind of television advertisement would be sponsored by a 94-year-old woman? Well, I can tell you it wasn't a glitzy commercial. No big New York advertising companies were called in to write the script. No famous superstars or spokes-models were hired to make the pitch. Since the commercial only ran once there was no need to set aside money for a big budget.
So, here's what Batchelder's ad looked like: there was a black screen and then three words, lettered in white, appeared on that black background. The three words said,
LOVE ONE ANOTHER
Most of the Daily Devotion readers will not be surprised if I tell them that Batchelder's commercial is not an original idea. When He was with us, Jesus said the same thing. Indeed, He not only said it, the Savior lived it. According to His Father's plan, He showed love to a sinful world, a lost world, a world that didn't want Him, rejected and murdered Him. Even so, Jesus loved us and the risen Lord shows that He is able to forgive us and grant us a new life with Him.
According to church tradition, when the apostle John was very old, men would carry him into church, and he would preach a sermon. No longer able to give a lengthy address, John's sermon was confined to these words: "Little children, love one another" (cp. 1 John 3:18).
So there you have it. Jesus tells us to love each other; the beloved apostle John agrees, and so does Shirley Batchelder of Franklin, Tennessee.
That should be all the directive we need.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, You have loved us when we were not lovable, now please help us to do the same for all those around us. In the Savior's Name I ask it. Amen.
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LAST TIME'S QUIZ: Who was the last king of Israel? Jehoiachin
Zedekiah was the last king of Judah.
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TODAY'S QUIZ: Jeremiah was the prophet to Judah as they went into exile. Who was the prophet to Israel?
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CALENDAR:
Thurs- Little Lambs Open House 8-11am; FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
Sat- Worship 5
Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45; Voter's meeting 9:45
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WORSHIP WORKERS:
Acolyte- 8:30- Alaina Heitgerd ; 11- Zach Hoelscher
Ushers- Alan Hofeldt, Tim Linke, Rich Talbert, Don Turnure
Altar- Set up- Ruth Walters ; Clean Up- Terry McKenzie
Communion Assistants- Sat- Randy Fischer; 8:30- Dave Winter; 11- Jim Rahn
Greeters- 8:30- Walt and Betty Schirr; 11- Mike and Naomi Johnson
Lay readers- Sat- Kathy Fischer 8:30- Sandra Perricone 11- Kailyn Blechle
Sat. Pianist- Tim Sherman; Sun @ 11- Doug Walters
Organist- Rachel Fisher
Projectionists: Sat- Perricone; Sun- 8:30- Schaumberg
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NEWS!!!! PLEASE READ IT ALL!!!!
QUARTERLY VOTER'S MEETING THIS SUNDAY AT 9:45!!!
Come hear about a brand new fundraising program for the church called SCRIPPS!!
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KELSEY OVERBECK WILL BE INSTALLED ON 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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ATTENTION ALL YOUTH!! SLIP N SLIDE KICK BALL THIS FRIDAY at 5:30!!!
It is kickball with a twist. The bases are kiddie pools and there's a slip n slide into home.
Let Kelsey know if you will attend and feel free to bring a friend or three!!
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WE NEED YOU TO 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!
A HUGE THANK YOU TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED OR HELPED IN ANY WAY WITH THE 7TH ANNUAL GOLF OUTING AS WORKERS, HOLE SPONSORS, AND/OR PARTICIPANTS!!
Close to $1,000 was raised to benefit Little Lambs!
Scores are posted on the bulletin board in the office hallway.
A very special thank you to Alan Hofeldt for doing such a wonderful job of organizing it and for putting up with all the headaches that go with it!
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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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FLOAT TRIP! FLOAT TRIP!! FLOAT TRIP!!! FLOAT TRIP!!!!
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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PRAYER REQUESTS:
Each day of the week there are four people to pray for. If there are specific prayer requests I will list them here. If not their name will remain blank, but you should still pray for them in a "general" way:
Hailey Blechle- starting school
Kailyn Blechle- starting school
Thelma Blessing-
Kayla Bodimer- starting college next week
Carol Boeger- granddaughter Marla Seymour, still recovering from a severe car accident and unable to work
Jon Boeger-
Lois Boeger-
Rich Boeger-
Tuesday:
Roy Bohning-
Esther Bornemann-
Coleen Bottorff- That she can find a buyer for her house in Lakeview Estates.
Carol Brazee- Thank you that she and Don have remained healthy
Wednesday:
Don Brazee- Thank you that he and Carol have remained healthy
James Brockfeld
Luke Brockfeld
Thursday:
Pam Brown- continued prayers for severe back problems
Angela Brunson- her Aunt Judy has been diagnosed with breast cancer and is having surgery on Aug. 28.
Emily Brunson- starting school today (Sophomore)
Ian Brunson- starting school today (Freshman)
Friday:
Pam Bueltmann
Beth Bunge
Jack Bunge
Sarah Bunge
Saturday:
Jessica Busby
Zach Busby
Kodi Bulter
Dawayne Butler
GENERAL PRAYERS:
For FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF FORMER MEMBER WILMA SCHAEFER as she is laid to rest today. She passed from death to life on Sunday.
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 the CHRISTOPHENE FAMILY as baby Piper was born yesterday and as mom recovers.
For MARK CHRISTOPHENE as he started a new job Monday.
For ANDREA EBERT as she is now on bedrest until her twins are born. (Due date is the beginning of October)
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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