DEVOTION: Luke 4:31-44 English Standard Version (ESV)
31 And he went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee. And he was teaching them on the Sabbath, 32 and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word possessed authority. 33 And in the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, 34 "Ha![a] What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God." 35 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent and come out of him!" And when the demon had thrown him down in their midst, he came out of him, having done him no harm. 36 And they were all amazed and said to one another, "What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!" 37 And reports about him went out into every place in the surrounding region.
38 And he arose and left the synagogue and entered Simon's house. Now Simon's mother-in-law was ill with a high fever, and they appealed to him on her behalf. 39 And he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her, and immediately she rose and began to serve them.
40 Now when the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to him, and he laid his hands on every one of them and healed them. 41 And demons also came out of many, crying, "You are the Son of God!" But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ.
42 And when it was day, he departed and went into a desolate place. And the people sought him and came to him, and would have kept him from leaving them, 43 but he said to them, "I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose." 44 And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea.
Jesus is so powerful that even the demons and even Peter's mother-in-law's fever submitted to his voice. Yet, those things are not why he came. Yes, he cast out demons, and yes he was able to heal any and every disease, but he came for a greater purpose! He came to proclaim and to be the good news that the people truly needed. He came not just to save their mortal earthly bodies, but even more, to save their souls.
He did all of this without lifting a finger. he did it with His very Word. Those very Words, from that very mouth were the same Words that created the world and everything in it. Those are the very Words that gave the Ten Commandments to Moses.
His Word has power to cast out demons, heal diseases, and raise the dead! Imagine the power it can and should and does have in your life! Let God's Word work its power in you today that you may have Real life and Real peace.
Prayer: Lord, make your Word have its way with me today. Amen.
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CALENDAR:
31 And he went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee. And he was teaching them on the Sabbath, 32 and they were astonished at his teaching, for his word possessed authority. 33 And in the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, 34 "Ha![a] What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God." 35 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent and come out of him!" And when the demon had thrown him down in their midst, he came out of him, having done him no harm. 36 And they were all amazed and said to one another, "What is this word? For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out!" 37 And reports about him went out into every place in the surrounding region.
38 And he arose and left the synagogue and entered Simon's house. Now Simon's mother-in-law was ill with a high fever, and they appealed to him on her behalf. 39 And he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her, and immediately she rose and began to serve them.
40 Now when the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to him, and he laid his hands on every one of them and healed them. 41 And demons also came out of many, crying, "You are the Son of God!" But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ.
42 And when it was day, he departed and went into a desolate place. And the people sought him and came to him, and would have kept him from leaving them, 43 but he said to them, "I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns as well; for I was sent for this purpose." 44 And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea.
Jesus is so powerful that even the demons and even Peter's mother-in-law's fever submitted to his voice. Yet, those things are not why he came. Yes, he cast out demons, and yes he was able to heal any and every disease, but he came for a greater purpose! He came to proclaim and to be the good news that the people truly needed. He came not just to save their mortal earthly bodies, but even more, to save their souls.
He did all of this without lifting a finger. he did it with His very Word. Those very Words, from that very mouth were the same Words that created the world and everything in it. Those are the very Words that gave the Ten Commandments to Moses.
His Word has power to cast out demons, heal diseases, and raise the dead! Imagine the power it can and should and does have in your life! Let God's Word work its power in you today that you may have Real life and Real peace.
Prayer: Lord, make your Word have its way with me today. Amen.
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CALENDAR:
Fri- Assemble newsletter 9am
Sat- worship 5pm
Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45; High School youth Bible Study 5pm; New member luncheon noon
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WORSHIP WORKERS:
Acolyte- 8:30- Jacob Cluver; 11- Alaina Heitgerd
Ushers- Figura family
Altar- Set up- Marilyn Foster, and Sue Ruhl; Clean up- Betty Schirr and Cheryl Bettlach
Elders- Sat- Charlie Figura; 8:30- Steve McDowell; 11- Dave Winter
Greeters- 8:30- Rich and Peggy Talbert; 11- Dave and Lil Winter
Lay readers- Sat- Marcia Sevier; 8:30- Steve McDowell; 11 - Kailyn Blechle
Sat. Pianist- Molly Hendershot
Organist- Rachel Fisher
Projectionists: Sat- Perricone 8:30- Julie Schaumberg; 11- Gus Klaustermeier
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YESTERDAY'S BIBLE QUIZ: How did Moses (God through Moses) make the bitter water sweet?
(No answer yesterday, so we'll keep this question up one more day.)
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NEWS!!!!
DO YOU KNOW OF ANYONE WHO WOULD BENEFIT FROM RECEIVING THIS DAILY EMAIL?
If you know of someone who isn't currently receiving my daily emails but would like to, please reply to this email with their email address and I will add them to the list. THANK YOU!
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NEW MEMBER DINNER IS SUNDAY AT NOON!! SO FAR WE HAVE 70 NEW MEMBERS COMING!
If you haven't RSVP'd please do so TODAY!!
If you have become a new member of St. John's since 2012 you are invited. Your invitation was put in your church mailbox!!
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YOUTH STEAK DINNER AND AUCTION TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW!!
Tickets are $25 a piece. All proceeds go to help our youth afford their trip down to New Orleans for the National Youth Gathering as well as do many other service projects and youth events.
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SPRINGTIME IN BRANSON
Sign the sheet in the narthex if you are interested in a two day trip to Branson on April 16 and 17. Cost will be around #300 per person. The itinerary for Saturday upon arrival in Branson is to head to the College of the Ozarks (a.k.a. Hard Work U) for a tour led by a college student. . From there we will go to do a self guided tour of the Keeter Museum. Saturday evening we will go to the Sight and Sound Theater for "Moses". This is the first year for "Moses" in Branson. Watch the February newsletter for more details. There will be a surprise for Sunday. We are running out of time, so please, if you know your friends want to go, sign up quickly as deposits need to be made and tickets purchased. Remember, the more people we get to go the cheaper it is for all.
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2016 ALTAR FLOWER CHART IS STILL PRETTY EMPTY!!
It is hanging on the bulletin board in the narthex. Sign up if you wish to place flowers on the altar! If it is for a special occasion (in memory of loved one, birthday, anniversary, etc.) please indicate that as well. Cost is $25 payable to St. John's.
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CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS ARE IN YOUR MAILBOXES!!!
Are you getting ready to do your taxes? Don't forget about your offering statements in your church mailboxes! You could even give the money you get back from this itemization to church!
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OPERATION BACKPACK FOR JANUARY IS CANNED FRUIT!!
You can also do individual size cups.
(Remember this is for the poor and needy children of our community and county that often receive two breakfast and lunch at school, and have very little or no food at home.)
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GENERAL PRAYERS:
A prayer of thanksgiving FOR MARIANNE LINKE who finally got to go home from the nursing home yesterday!!!
For RUTH WALTERS as she recovers from knee replacement surgery.
For MARILYN FOSTER as she recovers from cataract surgery.
For PASTOR MCCRACKEN, from Trinity in Troy, who is on a two month leave to heal from cancer treatments.
For PASTOR PIPER, from St. Paul, New Melle, as he recovers from a heart attack he had while running a 5K in Florida.
For THOSE DEALING WITH FLOODING PROBLEMS in the days and weeks ahead, that the Lord would provide for their needs, and use us, if need be, to help.
For DENISE SCHLESSELMANN as she is in need of more funding to continue her mission work in the Czech Republic.
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