Daily Email: Thursday, June 9, 2016

DEVOTION Luke 7:36-8:3  English Standard Version (ESV)
 
"A Sinful Woman Forgiven"
³⁶ One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table. ³⁷ And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, ³⁸ and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. ³⁹ Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner." ⁴⁰ And Jesus answering said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." And he answered, "Say it, Teacher."
⁴¹ "A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. ⁴² When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?" ⁴³ Simon answered, "The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt." And he said to him, "You have judged rightly." ⁴⁴ Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. ⁴⁵ You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. ⁴⁶ You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. ⁴⁷ Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little." ⁴⁸ And he said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." ⁴⁹ Then those who were at table with him began to say among^[a] themselves, "Who is this, who even forgives sins?" ⁵⁰ And he said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."
 
"Women Accompanying Jesus"

8 Soon afterward he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, ² and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, ³ and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's household manager, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them^[b] out of their means.

 

 

If you've never felt the true, real and ultimate forgiveness of Jesus after a huge sin you've committed, then you won't understand the weight of this passage.  If you've never felt real guilt, the guilt that makes you just want to end it all or at the very least, run away and start all over, then you aren't going to get it. 

 

On the other hand, if the conviction of the Holy Spirit has humbled you to the point of complete sorrow, and you truly realize that you deserve nothing but death for your sin, then you get it.  Then you understand the reaction of the woman who falls at the feet of Jesus to worship Him and thank Him so passionately for His forgiveness and grace given to her. 

 

I've felt that forgiveness.  There's been many times that the weight of my sin was just too much to bear and I had to fall at the feet of Jesus to drop that weight off of me and on to him.  it is a feeling of relief that can't be explained with words.  It is truly that peace that passes all understanding. 

 

It's funny that a Pharisee, named Simon, says what he says about this woman.  The truth is that Jesus does know this woman.  He knows her better than Simon ever did.  In fact, He knows Simon better than Simon knows himself.  He knows you better than you know yourself as well.  He knows how truly weak you are.  He knows how truly desperate you are for His forgiveness even if you don't know it yourself. 

 

I urge you to let the Holy Spirit convict you of your sin today, so that you may be like the woman in this reading and have your sins completely forgiven.  Then, you can go and love much just like she did! 

 

Let us pray:  Lord, thank you for giving me the example of all of these women in this passage.  Help me to be humble and generous like them.  Amen.

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CALENDAR:
Thurs- L 101 @ 7
Sat-  Worship 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; Worship 11; Elder's meeting noon; Holy Yoga noon
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WORSHIP WORKERS:  
Acolyte- 8:30- Gus Klaustermeier   11- Kalene Masters

Ushers- Dave Winter, Gary Scott, Larry Schulze, Scott Schulze

Altar-  Set up- Ruth Walters; Clean Up- Joanne Hachtel

Elders-  Sat- Jim Rahn;  8:30- Roy Bohning;  11- Stephanie Owenby
 
Greeters-  8:30- John and Joanne Hachtel;  11- Marv and Molly Hendershot????

Lay Readers- Sat- Jennifer Figura????  8:30- Roy Bohning; 11- Stephanie Owenby

Organist- Rachel Fisher
 
Piano- Kathy Barrow

Projectionists:  Sat- Kathy Fischer; 8:30- Schaumberg 11- Gus Klaustermeier
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:    A three part question:  How long did Jehoram reign in Jerusalem, how did he die, and why did he die in such a gruesome and painful way?

 

Now, I know you're all thinking he was that goofy dude on the Beverly Hillbillies, and he offed himself when the show was cancelled. But not so!

No, this was a different dude altogether. Actually, there were five – not one! – Jehorams; and the 2 we'll look at, were kings at about the same time. Confusing much?

1) was the son of Ahab and Jezebel, of the Kingdom of Israel. (Remember her? Purina's original Kibbles and Bits). He reigned from 849 – 842 BC) or about 7 years. He was executed by Jehu, during a revolt. Got shot by – you guessed it! – an arrow. These dudes and their archery. You'd think they were all elves from the LOTR.

2) This Jehoram, son of Jehoshaphat, took over his father's throne when he was 32 and ruled for 8 years in the Kingdom of Judah. Other sources say he was 39 when he became king and ruled (853 – 842 BC) for 11 years. But, the Bible says 8 years, so we'll go with God. (2 Chron. 21:20)

To make sure the rest of his family didn't raise a stink, he snuffed them all out. (2 Chronicles 21: 2-4). Then he married Ahab's daughter, Athaliah (not Attila the Hun, BTW.) to form an alliance with the Kingdom of Israel. This made him a brother-in-law of Jehoram #1. Anyway, under the influence of his wife (who, you remember was a daughter of the infamous Jezebel), he started to worship Baal and did all sorts of evil things in the name of his new god – including human sacrifices. Well, this ticked off the real God (big surprise!)., who had Elijah send him a letter telling him he was doomed. Instead of repenting – which any sane person would do – he basically flipped God off, and continued on his merry way, killing people right and left.

He was eventually killed by a gastrointestinal disease, that lasted 2 years, and ended with his bowels falling out.

Most modern researchers think he suffered from Colorectal carcinoma. Although some, think it was ischemic colitis. Either way, it sucked the big one.

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TODAY'S QUIZ: What does Obadiah's name mean?

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NEWS!!!! 

VBS, "CHRISTMAS IN JULY", will be held Monday, July 25-Thursday, July 28!!!  WE NEED VOLUNTEERS!!!

We need adults or at least high school kids to lead groups of kids from activity to activity.  Depending on the numbers, you would be in charge of anywhere between 5 and 15 kids.  You should plan on being there from 5-8 every evening.

 

We also need kitchen workers to make, serve, and clean up meals.  You should plan on being there from 4:30-6:30 every evening.

 

Please volunteer!  We need you!

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SERMON FROM THIS PAST SUNDAY, JUNE 5, 2016

Watch and Share: https://youtu.be/7bB4XS7dVyk

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HOLY YOGA THIS SUNDAY AT NOON!!

Come praise the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and get some good health going at the same time!!

 

Amanda Nordwald is a certified Yoga instructor.  She will be leading you through a one hour class. 

 

Babysitting will be provided!!

 

Bring your own yoga mat if you have one.

 

This is a fundraiser for our youth group, so the cost for this one hour session is $10!!!

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FREE WILL OFFERING FOR PASTOR SIMON PETER WAAKO AND FAMILY THIS COMING WEEKEND!!

As many of you know, through the wonderful avenue of Facebook, I have become friends over the past several years with Simon Peter Waako, He is a pastor and mission planter in Uganda and has been working hard for the last several years.  Unfortunately, he is quite poor and the people he serves are even poorer.  He could really use our help to be able to survive as a pastor in that quickly growing mission field.  Please consider giving to him and his family.  Below is a brief autobiography from him:

 

I am Pastor Simon Peter Waako.  I was born on 7th-09-1980.  Iam 35 years old.  I am the Pastor of Nakabango Lutheran congregation, but I also help several small congregations that are under Nakabango since in Uganda we still have scarcity of Pastors.  I graduated from Matongo Lutheran Seminary in western Kenya in 2014 and I got ordained into Holy ministry on 14-02-2015.

            I am married to Alice Waako.  Alice is 30 years old and God has blessed us with four children.  Three are our biological children but the fourth one is a child who was homeless and we picked him from the street of Jinja.  He has started living with us.  Our children are Joseph Iran, our first born child, who is 10 years old; Precious Doreen is 8 years old; Christina Praise is 3 years old, and Moses, the boy we got from the street is 12 years old.

            Our youngest daughter Christina has some complications .She was born with four holes in her heart, and she underwent heart surgery in 2014 from the Uganda Hearts Institute Mulago.  Since then Christina's life is just not improving as well as we would have hoped.  .We have to take her to the Uganda Hearts Institute,  Mulago Kampala every month and every month  we need to have $150 to cater for transport,, medication, and accommodation. Christina need to be under treatment still for a period of two years but it's a real challenge to our family.

            On top of that, we need to get food, clothing, house rent and other family necessities.  I can't afford this because even the church doesn't afford to pay the Pastor due to the situations in the Lutheran congregations in Uganda are in.  They are poor village congregations that can't afford paying the Pastor and instead they feel that the pastor should be the one to support them. 

            The doctors have also instructed us not to be moving with Christina in dusty places but we can't avoid this since we don't have our own car, because we can't afford it.  .All these challenges have made the ministry work harder.  I have a proposal for rearing poultry birds.  I have a proposal of setting up a poultry farm, and if I could get the capital of $6,000 to start up the poultry farm business, i will be able to pay my rent and clothing for ourselves, medication bill for Christina, and also to provide for all other necessities of the ministry.  If we could get someone to help us with this it would be wonderful.  May God bless you all!

 

 

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CALLING ALL 18-40 YEAR OLDS!!

What?  Barbecue Picnic

When? Saturday, June 18, at 6pm (after worship)

Where? Church Pavilion

Who?  All 18-40 year olds and their friends

Why? 1. Fun and Fellowship (getting to know others)

2. Fact Finding and Future Planning (How can the congregation better serve this generation, and how can this generation be of service to, in and through the congregation?)

 

What will be provided?  Hamburgers, hotdogs, pork steaks, buns, plates, napkins, cups, and plasticware, tea, and lemondade. 

 

What should I bring? Bring your own adult beverages and a side dish or dessert to share. 

 

Please RSVP by Sunday, June 12 if you can, but if you don't RSVP, please come!  The Lord will provide.

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STEPHEN MINISTRY IS REBOOTING AND REENERGIZING AND NEEDS MORE FOLKS TO BE A PART OF IT!! 

Read below if you would like to know more about Stephen Ministry and what it entails!!

 

WHAT IS STEPHEN MINISTRY?

Stephen Ministry is a lay ministry of caring for individuals on a one to one basis through listening and prayer. 

 

WHO NEEDS A STEPHEN MINISTER

Basically anyone who has gone or is going through some type of struggle or loss could benefit from a visit from a Stephen Minister. People who are going through grief, divorce, loneliness, or a whole host of other circumstances are all good candidates for a Stephen Minister.

 

WHO LEADS AND DIRECTS IT?

It is led by lay people, under the supervision of Pastor, who have been trained to be Stephen Leaders at a special Stephen Leader training course.  Molly Hendershot, Joanne Hachtel, and Chrissy Groeber are our current Stephen leaders. 

 

HOW DOES ONE BECOME A STEPHEN MINISTER?

Stephen Ministers go through 50 hours of training to be the best active listeners and responsible caregivers that they can be.

 

WHAT DO STEPHEN MINISTERS DO ONCE THEY ARE TRAINED?  Stephen Ministers are responsible to

Listen

Pray

Share Christ's love

Attend to the caregiver process and leave the results to God. 

Maintain confidentiality

 

WHAT IS CONFIDENTIALITY

Everything that a Stephen Minister talks about with a care giver is to be kept between the Stephen Minister and the care receiver.  It is a very private matter and cannot and should not be divulged to anyone, unless that care receiver requests it. 

 

WHO CAN BE A STEPHEN MINISTER?

Anyone who has a heart for hurting souls can be a Stephen Minister.  It does require a time commitment, so be sure that you have enough time to commit to the training and to being a Stephen Minister (About 1-2 hours a week.)

 

WHY DO WE NEED STEPHEN MINISTERS? 

It's best to answer this one right from the Scriptures.  In Acts 6 we see that the disciples were getting very busy as the church was growing exponentially.  They needed some "helpers' to help take care of the needs of the people.  So they chose seven people, one of whom was Stephen, to help take care of the physical and spiritual needs of the people. 

            To these seven, and then to billions after them in the millennia since, have been given the task of being the ears, hands, and hearts to care for the people.

            St. John's is in need of such people!  As our congregation grows and changes and as needs increase, the need for Stephen Ministers increases as well.  We just need more people listening and praying and that's what Stephen Ministers do.    

 

 

WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO EB ASSIGNED TO A STEPHEN MINISTER AS A CARE RECEIVER?

Contact one of the Stephen Leaders, Marilyn, or Pastor and we will get you set up.  Church phone is 636-456-2888  or Pastor's cell is  636-359-1061

 

 

WHAT DO I NEED TO DO BECOME A STEPHEN MINISTER?

1. Contact one of our Stephen Leaders, Pastor, or Marilyn to be put on a list of trainees.  636-456-2888  or Pastor's cell at 636-359-1061

2. Wait for enough people to fill out the list.

3. Attend and participate in training when it is scheduled.  We have to wait till there are enough people willing to go through the Stephen Ministry training before we start.

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PAPER RECYCLING AT CHURCH

DO NOT LEAVE THE PAPER IN A PLASTIC BAG WHEN YOU DROP IT IN THE BIN.  DUMP IT OUT OF THE BAG! 

 

No cardboard, plastic, or foam allowed.

 

You may have noticed the big red dumpster on the parking lot.  That is for you to dump your used paper!!

Any kind and color of paper is acceptable.  No cardboard. 

 

Church will get money per pound.

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SCRIP PROGRAM CONTINUES!!
Here's how it works:

1. Pick up an order form from the counter in the narthex or from Marilyn in the office.

2. Mark how many cards you would like to order from each retailer you use, and fill in the totals.  (If you need help, stop by the office or talk to Marilyn or ask me after worship.)

3. Attach a check to your order form made out to St.John's.

4. Marilyn will place the order on a certain date each month.

5. Pick up your cards from your church mailbox.

6. Use your cards just like money at the various stores.

 

Please use this program!  It is an easy way for you to help YOUR church raise money for its ministries!

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PASTOR KLAUSTERMEIER IS BIKING 1,000 MILES THIS SUMMER FOR LEADACHILD!!!

We have been blessed beyond measure in the United States haven't we?  I want you to join me in making a global difference by releasing children from poverty through Christian education.

 

Instead of taking a week off and joining my fellow Lead a Child bikers who are riding the Fault Line across four states this year,  I have decided to go solo and bike 1,000 miles locally and while on vacation by August 1 to raise funds for LeadaChild. Would you sponsor me so that I can raise funds to support this most worthy organization?  In my opinion, there is no more worthy organization to support than LeadaChild!

 

LeadaChild  provides educational assistance to over 26,000 children and shares the love of Jesus Christ with the students and their families! LeadaChild supports the poorest of the poor children through Christian education in the following countries:

Guatemala                    Chad                       Honduras               Palestine               Haiti             Uganda

Gambia                          Ivory Coast            El Salvador            Nigeria                   Panama       Nicaragua

Burma                            Ghana                     Chile                       Venezuela             Bolivia         Mexico

Liberia                            Uruguay                Sri Lanka                India                       Guinea        Sierra Leone   

Bangladesh                   Cambodia              South Africa         Togo                       Thailand

 These students need your help to find a way out of poverty through Christian education and learn of the hope of Christ our Savior.

 

Please fill out your information below and send it with your check or donate online through the LeadaChild website: http://www.leadachild.org/bike

 

Every dollar makes a difference. Please give generously.  Please remember all of the riders in your prayers!  Thank you much for your support!

 

Biking For Kids Together,

Pastor Jeremy Klaustermeier

 

LeadaChild  is a 501 C-3 non-profit organization and is a Recognized Service Organization of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.

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OPERATION BACKPACK FOR JUNE IS CANNED VEGETABLES!!!

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 PRAYER 

For MOLLY HENDERSHOT, who is recovering from a  broken shoulder at home.

 

For MARIANNE LINKE who is hospitalized with a severe infection.

 

For PAT JAEGER, who is recovering from knee replacement surgery.

 

For LIL WINTER who is recovering from a fall at Delmar Gardens in Ofallon.

 

For BARB PERRICONE who is back home and continue to recover from pneumonia.

 

For BRIAN TAMPOW, a friend of Steve and Toni Mauch, who has an inoperable tumor near his carotid artery and will need to go through extensive chemo and radiation treatment.

 

For CHERYL, a cousin of Tony and Sandra Perricone, who is going through breast cancer treatment right now. 

  

 For DENISE SCHLESSELMANN as she finishes up her current mission work in the Czech Republic and makes her decisions for her future.