Daily Email: Monday, January 11, 2016

DEVOTION: Psalm 128

128 Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord,
    who walks in his ways!
² You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands;
    you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.

³ Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
    within your house;
your children will be like olive shoots
    around your table.
⁴ Behold, thus shall the man be blessed
    who fears the Lord.

⁵ The Lord bless you from Zion!
    May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
    all the days of your life!
⁶ May you see your children's children!
    Peace be upon Israel!

 

That word blessed is a loaded word.  It can mean so many different things.  To one person it means physical blessings, money, creature comforts, health.  To others it means spiritual blessings like peace, joy, and love. 

 

What does it mean to David here in this Psalm?  It looks to me like it means relationship blessings.  Your wife will be like a fruitful vine, your children like olive shoots.  In other words your family will bear fruit, in this case fruit of righteousness. 

 

So how do we get this blessing of good relationships?  We get it by fearing the Lord and walking in his ways. What does this look like?  What are the Lord's ways?  Well.... what does Jesus say?  He says, "A new command I give to you, LOVE ONE ANOTHER."  And "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."  And "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me, therefore go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  And one more, "Jesus breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit.  If you forgive anyone their sins it is forgiven them." 

Do you want to be blessed with good relationships with your family and friends?  It is very simple!  Fear the Lord and walk in His ways of loving, making disciples, and forgiving. 

 

There is no bigger blessing than bringing someone to Christ.  There is no bigger blessing than giving and receiving forgiveness.  There is bigger blessing  than loving the people that God has called you to love.  Even if the people you love don't love you back, and even if the person you forgive doesn't want your forgiveness, and even if it is difficult to bring people to Christ, which it most definitely is, there is no better blessing than these things!  Praise the Lord today for the ability to give and receive love and forgiveness!

 

Let us pray: Lord, help me to be a blessing so that you may bless me.  Amen.

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CALENDAR:
Mon- Confirmation 5-6:15; Family Night Resumes 6:15
Tues- Quilting 9-2; Bible Study Resumes 11:30-12:15; Trustees Meeting 7pm
Wed- Choir 7pm
Thurs- Board of Outreach and Evangelism meeting 5pm
Fri- No school; Bible study at Hendershots 7pm
Sat- Men's breakfast 8am; worship 5pm; Soup, Sandwiches and Game night 6-9pm
Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45
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WORSHIP WORKERS:  
Acolyte-  8:30- Kalene Masters; 11- Hailey Blechle

Ushers-  George, Gary, and Ben Hoelscher, and Brent Davis

Altar- Set up- Marilyn Foster, and Sue Ruhl; Clean up- Terry McKenzie

Elders- Sat- Dave Winter; 8:30- Steve McDowell; 11- Randy Fischer

Greeters- 8:30- Terry and Lynn Russell; 11- Randy and Kathy Fischer

Lay readers- Sat- Marcia Sevier;  8:30- Steve McDowell 11 - Steve Robine

Sat. Pianist- Tim Sherman

Organist-  Rachel Fisher

Projectionists:  ???????
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YESTERDAY'S  BIBLE QUIZ:      What happened to Lot's wife when she turned back to see Sodom and Gomorrah after God specifically told them not to? She turned to salt

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TODAY'S BIBLE QUIZ: Who was Ishmael?

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NEWS!!!! 

FAMILY NIGHT RESUMES TONIGHT AT 6:15PM!!
Please join us for supper and some fellowship with your brothers and sisters in Christ!!  It's always a fun time and we always learn something about ourselves and our Lord.  Just bring a dish to share!

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MEN'S BREAKFAST THIS SATURDAY AT 8AM!!

Come and join us for some pancakes, bacon, sausage, and scrambled eggs.   RSVP if you are able to come so I know how much food to buy and make.  We will be continuing our video series called "Christianity and the Competition" as we go through Part Two of our study of Islam (Muslims). 

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SOUP AND GAME NIGHT THIS SATURDAY AT 6PM!!

Come to church at 6 and stay for some good food, fun and fellowship.  Bring a game that you'd like to play.  Some games will already be provided. 

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PLEAASE COME AND GET YOUR DISHES FROM THE KITCHEN!!

One more week and then those dishes that are left will be taken to Good Shepherd Thrift Store to be sold.

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YOUTH STEAK DINNER AND AUCTION TICKETS WENT ON SALE YESTERDAY!!

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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NEW ADULT BIBLE CLASS STARTED YESTERDAY!!  There's still time to get in on it without missing too much.

What makes Lutherans different than other Christian churches?  Is it the good potlucks?  Is it our staunch German heritage?  Is it our constant singing of hymns and liturgy?  Well..... maybe.  But there is something even more substantial than these that sets us apart.  It is our clear distinction of Law and Gospel.  "What does this mean?"  You ask.  You'll just have to come to Bible study at 9:45am on Sunday to find out!

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WE NEED ONE MORE PERSON TO ORDER TO GET THE BULK RATE OF HOPE FULL LIVING DEVOTIONS FOR SENIORS!!!

"Hope Full Living" is a daily devotional booklet just for seniors that Pastor contributes to.  He usually has one or two of his own devotions in it.  If we get 10 or more people to order it and each person gives $8 we can order them in bulk and have them mailed to church.  Order yours today by calling the church office!

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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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HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH BIBLE STUDY MEETING AND PIZZA SUNDAY @ 5PM!!

Pastor K. wants to get back in touch with the high school kids after Christmas break, and start to prepare them for the youth gathering coming up this Summer!  Please plan on being there!!!

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GAME AND SOUP NIGHT ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 16, 6-9pm!!!

Bring your favorite card games, board games, or even dominoes!  Soup, chili, coffee and tea will be provided!!  All attending should bring a snack or dessert to share.  You may also bring drinks of your own choice!  Please sign the sheet in the narthex if you plan on coming. 
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GENERAL PRAYERS:

For JOHN AND ANNA HOENIG as they mourn the loss of Anna's dad due to complications from Alzheimers. 

 

For PAUL AND TERESA BROCKFELD, soon to become members of St. John's, as their gunsmith business was torched yesterday morning.

 

For MARIANNE LINKE, as she has healed enough to be able to go home from the nursing home this Thursday, that she would stay well!

 

For JOANNE HACHTEL, as she recovers from rotator cuff 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.