Daily Email: Thursday, October 15, 2015

 

DEVOTION: Mark 10:23-31 (ESV)

²³ And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!" ²⁴ And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, "Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! ²⁵ It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God." ²⁶ And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, "Then who can be saved?" ²⁷ Jesus looked at them and said, "With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God." ²⁸ Peter began to say to him, "See, we have left everything and followed you." ²⁹ Jesus said, "Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, ³⁰ who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. ³¹ But many who are first will be last, and the last first."

 

If you have money you can do anything, right?  You can buy what you want when you want it.  You can go where you want when you want to.  You can live how you want when, where, and how you want.  Everything is great, isn't it? 

 

Not so fast.  Jesus says, "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle that for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God."  I thought rich people could do anything.  Why can't they enter into heaven?

 

Well, turns out that the price for entering heaven is perfection and no one can buy that, nor is it for sale.  Just last week we heard a rich young man who wanted to do something to inherit eternal life.  Jesus gave him something impossible to do to show him, and us, that it is impossible to do anything to inherit or earn heaven. 

 

Heaven is unattainable by mere humans doing mere human things.  You can't do enough or pay enough and neither can I.  There is no such thing as enough.  A camel can't go through the eye of a needle.  It's impossible.  The rich man didn't have the will or the mental capability of selling everything he had and giving it to the poor.  You, as willing as you may be, cannot and will not ever be perfect on this side of heaven. 

 

On the other hand, there was someone who took your place when it came to all of these things.  He lived as perfect life for you.  He died the death you couldn't die for you.  And he has risen from the dead.... also something you can't do on your own.  YES!  Jesus is your ultimate superhero.  All things are possible with God.  Let him be your superhero today!

Let us pray: Lord, as I try to do it all myself and as I worry about how good I am and take too much pride in the small amount of things I have accomplished and how I am better than everyone else, humble me, and show me that with me it is impossible, but not with you.  All things are possible with you.  Amen.

 

 

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CALENDAR:

Thurs- karate 6:15-7:45

Fri-  Bible Study at Hendershot's 7pm

Sat-  Men's breakfast 8am; Basement reserved for Toedebusch Anniversary 11am-4pm; Worship 5
Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45; SCRIP orders due
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WORSHIP WORKERS:  
Acolyte-  8:30- Hannah Johnson; 11- Gus Klaustermeier
Ushers-  Scott and Alex Heitgerd; Bob and Tom Linke
Altar- Set up- Don Hance; Clean up- Sandy Robine
Communion Assistants- Sat- Dave Winter; 8:30- Steve McDowell; 11- Steve Robine
Greeters- 8:30- Jim and Vickie McRae; 11- Mike and Naomi Johnson
Lay readers- Sat- Sandra Perricone 8:30- Jacob Nagel 11- Hannah Johnson
Sat. Pianist- Barb Dreyer
Organist-  Rachel Fisher
Projectionists: Sat. Pam Bueltmann, 8:30- Lydia Miller, 11- ?????
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NEWS!!!!  PLEASE READ IT ALL!!!!

COUNCIL MEETING NEXT TUESDAY AT 7pm!!

All boards and committees should have their budget proposals ready to be submitted. 

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Next Monday's family night is a Baked Potato Bar!!  YUMMY!!  
(Note: I may cook some hotdogs along with it.) 
 The potatoes are already here:
  Some of the toppings have already been spoken for including: shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, bacon, and chives.
 
We could still use broccoli, and chili if you'd like to bring it.  Please let me know if you are.  
  
Also, we need some salads and desserts to round out the meal.  Let me know you are bringing those as well.  
 

See you then!!!

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CHILDREN'S EVENT AT PUMPKINS GALORE THIS SATURDAY AT 11AM!!

All kids (and parents of course) in 5th grade and younger are invited to come out to Pumpkin's Galore located at 26415 South Stringtown Rd in Wright City.  We will be meeting there and parents are asked to stay with their children.  There will be a hayride, bounce house, horse drawn carriage ride, face painting, and a kid's train ride.  Each child will also receive a pumpkin that they can paint and take home.  The cost is $10 per child.  Please let Kelsey know you are coming by calling the church office at 456-2888 or emailing her at koverbeck@live.com

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HAYRIDE AND BONFIRE AT HEITGERD HOUSE SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24 6-10pm!!

We need people to sign up to bring chili and desserts and to help set up and clean up.  Call the church office or sign up on the sheet that is on the counter in the narthex.

 

WE WANT EVERYONE TO COME!!  Please make plans to do so!!  It's always a fun time to get to know your brothers and sisters in Christ better! 

 

Soda and water will be provided!  You can bring your own adult beverages (beer, wine, etc.) if you'd like. 

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MEN'S BREAKFAST IS THIS SATURDAY!!

Pancakes, sausage, bacon, and scrambled eggs!!

 

We will start a study called, "Christianity and the Competition" a video series led by Dr. Paul Maier on the difference between Lutherans and other Religions and Denominations. 

 

PLEASE RSVP SO I KNOW HOW MUCH FOOD TO BUY AND MAKE!!!

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A NEW SUNDAY MORNING ADULT BIBLE STUDY CALLED "MARRIAGE AND FAMILY:  THE LUTHERAN DIFFERENCE"! 

Do you want to have a clearer definition of marriage according to God's Word?

 

Do you want to be able to explain your views on marriage and family when you get into discussions about it and when you want to teach your kids?

 

Do you want to strengthen your own marriage and family?

 

THEN COME TO BIBLE STUDY ON SUNDAY MORNINGS AT 9:45!!!!!!!

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QUILT TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE!!  

The drawing was not held at the carnival to give people more time to purchase more tickets.  You may purchase tickets from any quilter or from the church office throughout the week.  Tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5.  

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LADIES AID IS SELLING CHRISTMAS CARDS FOR $5 a BOX!!  

Once they're gone, that's it.  There won't be another order when they run out!  Get them today!  They're in the basement and you can give money to whoever is in the office. 

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PLEASE ORDER SCRIP !!!!! 

A NEW AND EASY FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITY!!! 

 

The order forms are on the table in the narthex!  Just about every store that you can think of is on the list!  Use the cards just like you would use a debit/credit card and help St. John's make  A LOT of money!

Place your order, along with your check, made payable to St. Johns, in the "Bob the Builder" box. 

  
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OPERATION BACKPACK FOR OCTOBER IS CANNED VEGETABLES!! !

Many children in our community are very poor.  They are able to get some of their meals at school during the week, but often go hungry on weekends.  Operation backpack is a way that our community has decided to help these kids. 
 
Every month throughout the school year, each church participating will take one food item and collect just that food item.  At the end of the month the food will be delivered to school.  The school officials along with volunteers will distribute the food to kids backpacks to take home.   

Throughout the month of October we will be collecting canned veggies. All size cans and even individual portions will be accepted.  The fruit will be delivered to the schools November 1.   We will have a box in the narthex for deposits.

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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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GENERAL PRAYERS:

For DIANNE HANCE who is recovering from surgery to have a trachea tube and a feeding tube installed on her.

 

For MARIANNE LINKE who is recovering from heart valve replacement surgery and had a setback on Friday but is doing better now.

 

For CAL TAMELER as he has cornea transplant surgery on Wednesday.

 

For DON PANHORST who is recovering from his first two chemo treatments last week.   

 

For DENISE SCHLESSELMANN as she is in the Czech Republic to continue her mission work.

 

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

 

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