Daily Email: Tuesday, February 16, 2016

 

DEVOTION:  Jeremiah 26:8-15   English Standard Version (ESV)⁸ And when Jeremiah had finished speaking all that the Lord had commanded him to speak to all the people, then the priests and the prophets and all the people laid hold of him, saying, "You shall die! ⁹ Why have you prophesied in the name of the Lord, saying, 'This house shall be like Shiloh, and this city shall be desolate, without inhabitant'?" And all the people gathered around Jeremiah in the house of the Lord.
¹⁰ When the officials of Judah heard these things, they came up from the king's house to the house of the Lord and took their seat in the entry of the New Gate of the house of the Lord. ¹¹ Then the priests and the prophets said to the officials and to all the people, "This man deserves the sentence of death, because he has prophesied against this city, as you have heard with your own ears."
¹² Then Jeremiah spoke to all the officials and all the people, saying, "The Lord sent me to prophesy against this house and this city all the words you have heard. ¹³ Now therefore mend your ways and your deeds, and obey the voice of the Lord your God, and the Lord will relent of the disaster that he has pronounced against you. ¹⁴ But as for me, behold, I am in your hands. Do with me as seems good and right to you. ¹⁵ Only know for certain that if you put me to death, you will bring innocent blood upon yourselves and upon this city and its inhabitants, for in truth the Lord sent me to you to speak all these words in your ears." 
 
 
Have you ever had to tell someone bad news?  It's no fun.  You worry about the bad news will effect them.  You wonder how they react to you.  You dread it and you put it off as long as you can, because it is a very painful awful thing.  Yet, it is almost always necessary.  
 
It is also very important that you have the whole complete truth.  If the bad news you are sharing isn't 100% truthful it will come back to bite you.  At the same time, even if you tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth, people might not like it.  Believe me, I've had many opportunities to experience this as a pastor.  Quite a few relationships have gone away, because I have had to speak the truth. 
 
Jeremiah had the same problem.  God called him as a prophet to speak His Words of truth.  Jeremiah didn't have a choice.  He couldn't sugar coat it.  The people needed to hear the cold, hard truth.  And when they heard it they were outraged and were immediately ready to kill the messenger, as if what Jeremiah had spoken came from his own mind.  Yet, he didn't falter.  He didn't take it back.  He stood firm in the truth.  Despite overwhelming opposition he didn't budge, but told them that if they did kill him they would have innocent blood on his hands. 
 
The moral of this story.  You have no choice but to speak the truth.  Speak the truth with as much love, compassion, and empathy as you can, but be prepared to have to deal with unwarranted consequences.  Be prepared to suffer for the truth.  And also be prepared that the person you tell might not listen, but end up rejecting everything you have to say, even though it is for his or her good.  A wise man once reminded me that not everyone listened to Jesus or accepted His Words either.  They rejected Him and nailed Him to the cross.  Don't expect everyone to listen to you. 
 
Prayer:  Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable as I speak and live Your Words of truth!  Amen.
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CALENDAR:

Tues- Quilting 9-2; Bible Study 11:30-12:15

Wed- Ladies Aid noon; Supper 5:30; Worship 6:30; Choir 7:15

Fri- Newsletter deadline; Bible Study at Hendershot's 7pm

Sat-  Men's breakfast 8am; worship 5pm
Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45; Voter's meeting 9:45
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WORSHIP WORKERS:  
Acolyte- 8:30- John Pezold; 11- Jacob Winn

Ushers-  Wed- Dave Winter, Gary Scott, Larry Schulze, Scott Schulze; Sun- Allan Dreyer, Lew Feldkamp, Kent Jacobsmeyer, Paul Klover

Altar- Wed-Terry McKenzie; Set up-  Linda Callies; Clean up- Sandy Robine

Elders-  Sat- Roy Bohning; 8:30- Roy Bohning; 11- Steve Robine

Greeters- 8:30- Don and Wanda Turnure; 11- Joan Sexton

Lay readers- Sat Roy Bohning; 8:30-  Lois Boeger; 11 -  Steve Robine

Pianist- Sat- Tim Sherman

 

Organist- Rachel Fisher

Projectionists:  Sat- ????  8:30-  Terry McKenzie; 11- Hannah Johnson
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YESTERDAY'S  BIBLE QUIZ:    Who were the two guys who went into the Promised Land as spies and were convinced that the Lord would give it into their hands if they would just trust the Lord.  (They were the only ones of their whole generation that was allowed to enter the Promised Land.

 

All you needed for an answer was Caleb and Joshua, but if you want to read a bunch more and learn some more history about it all, read Pat King's answer below.

 

First of all – even though you FORGOT to ask, Moses sent 12 – not 2, like some people may believe – to spy out the land. They were representatives of the 12 tribes of Israel – being leaders from each tribe. And, they were given 40 days to check out the land. (God does like his numbers! 40 years roaming about the desert, 40 days checking out the Promised Land, 40 days for Jesus when He did His desert thing, 40 days in Lent). Anyway, here are the names of the 12 dudes:

1. Shammua son of Zaccur, from the tribe of Reuben
2. Shaphat son of Hori, from the tribe of Simeon
3. Caleb son of Jephunneh, from the tribe of Judah
4. Igal son of Joseph, from the tribe of Issachar
5. Hoshea (Joshua) son of Nun, from the tribe of Ephraim
6. Palti son of Raphu, from the tribe of Benjamin
7. Gaddiel son of Sodi, from the tribe of Zebulin
8. Gaddi son of Susi, from the tribe of Manassah
9. Ammiel son of Gemalli, from the tribe of Dan
10. Sethur son of Michael, from the tribe of Asher
11. Nahbi son of Vophsi, from the tribe of Naphtali
12. Geuel son of Maki, from the tribe of Gad

So, the 2 dudes who told the truth – and actually believed God would stand by His promise – were Joshua and Caleb. Joshua later was chosen to succeed Moses when he bit the dust. Caleb, you might notice, was from the tribe of Judah – Jesus' ancestral tribe – and therefore one of His great-great-whatever human grandfathers.

 

Oh! And here's another little known fact – at least for us Lutherans. According to Rabbinic tradition (as seen in the Mishnah Taanit 4:6), the sin of the spies produced the annual fast day of Tisha B'Av. When the Israelites accepted the false report, they wept over the false belief that God was setting them up for defeat. The night that the people cried was the ninth of Av, which became a day of weeping and misfortune for all time.

BTW, even though this is just EXTRA CREDIT info, here's what the Jews have to say about Tisha B'Av.

 

According to the Mishnah (Taanit 4:6), five specific events occurred on the ninth of Av that warrant fasting:

1. The twelve spies sent by Moses to observe the land of Canaan returned from their mission. Only two of the spies, Joshua and Caleb, brought a positive report, while the others spoke disparagingly about the land. The majority report caused the Children of Israel to cry, panic and despair of ever entering the "Promised Land". For this, they were punished by God that their generation would not enter the land. Because of the Israelites' lack of faith, God decreed that for all generations this date would become one of crying and misfortune for their descendants. (See Numbers 13; Numbers 14).
2. The First Temple built by King Solomon and the Kingdom of Judah was destroyed by the Babylonians led by Nebuchadnezzar in 587 BCE (Anno Mundi [AM] 3175) after a two-year siege and the Judaeans were sent into the Babylonian exile. According to the Talmud in tractate Ta'anit, the destruction of the First Temple began on the Ninth of Av and the Temple continued to burn throughout the Tenth of Av.
3. The Second Temple built by Ezra and Nehemiah was destroyed by the Romans in August 70 CE (AM 3830), scattering the people of Judea and commencing the Jewish exile from the Holy Land.
4. The Romans crushed Bar Kokhba's revolt and destroyed the city of Betar, killing over 500,000 Jewish civilians (approximately 580,000) on July 8, 135 CE (Av 9, AM 3892).^[6]
5. Following the Bar Kokhba revolt, Roman commander Turnus Rufus plowed the site of the Temple and the surrounding area, in 135 CE.

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TODAY'S QUIZ: Jesus quoted the Old Testament in this past Sunday's Gospel reading when he said, "It is written, 'You shall  not put the Lord your God to the test.'"   Where is that found in the Old Testament?

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NEWS!!!! 

 

VOTERS MEETING THIS SUNDAY AT 9:45am!!

All those who are chairpersons of your boards or committees should be present to report.  If you're not able to be there to report, please provide a written report for your board or committee!!

 

Our main order of business will be to nominate and elect a man who is willing to be president and a man who is willing to be vice president for this year.

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TRIP TO BRANSON WILL BE CANCELED AFTER THIS COMING SUNDAY IF 20 MORE PEOPLE DON'T SIGN UP AND GET THEIR MONEY IN!!  Call Marilyn TODAY if you plan on going!  456-2888

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THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO DONATED THINGS, BOUGHT THINGS, OR ATTENDED THE STEAK DINNER AND AUCTION!! 

There are just too many people to thank them all individually!!

 

THERE ARE STILL SEVERAL ITEMS AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE AT $10 EACH!  CONTACT PASTOR IF INTERESTED. 

 

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LENTEN DINNER THIS WEDNESDAY AT 5:30!!

Here's the menu:

Chili
baked potato bar
hotdogs
desserts

 

PLEASE COME OUT TO SUPPORT YOUR YOUTH!!  They are the future of your church, and they need all the help they can get.

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BUILDING EXPANSION MEETING COMING UP TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, @ 6:30pm!!

Our next, very important building meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, February 23 @ 6:30pm!  

We'll be looking at different rough drawings of economical ways that we can accomplish what we want to do to accommodate our growing congregation and support the future of our church!  EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO ATTEND THIS MEETING!!

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 LENT DINNERS ARE EVERY WEDNESDAY DURING LENT AT 5:30!!

Over the last many, many years your Jr. and Sr. high youth and their parents (mostly their parents) have been serving dinner on Wednesday nights during Lent.  While this is a good way for the youth and their parents to serve and give back to the congregation, it is also supposed to be a way for them to raise money for their service projects and trips. 
 
Unfortunately over the past several years, they have barely broken even on these dinners.  The parents usually donate the desserts and even much of the other food out of their own pockets.  Without that the youth would probably lose money. 
 
It is especially important that they make money this year, as they will need all they can get to make their goal for the National Youth Gathering in new Orleans.
 
I want to encourage you all to attend these dinners, and, while there is no set price per person for these dinners, a generous free will offering is strongly encouraged!! 
 
Below is the Menu for each week:

Feb. 17-
baked potato bar
hotdogs

chili

all the fixins
desserts
 
Feb 24-
Fried Chicken
Stuffing
green beans
apple sauce
desserts
 
March 2-
taco bar w/all the fixings
desserts
 
March 9-
pasta
salad
rolls
desserts
 
March 16-
Fried Chicken
potatoes
corn
rolls
desserts
 
 
As always, thank you for your continued support of the future of Christianity!!!

 

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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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 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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OPERATION BACKPACK FOR FEBRUARY IS CANNED VEGETABLES!!  ANY SIZE CANS ARE APPRECIATED!

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:

For BETTY SCHIRR as she remains in ICU and is intubated and sedated with a serious lung problem and fluctuating blood pressure. 

 

For DON BRAZEE who is dealing with severe weakness and painful swelling in his joints off which the cause has yet to be identified.

 

For RUTH WALTERS as she recovers from knee replacement surgery. 

 

For MARIAH, a granddaughter of Pat Jaeger's best friend, who has been diagnosed with childhood leukemia.

 

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.