Daily Email: Monday, July 18, 2016

 
DEVOTION: Psalm 138 (ESV)
 
"Give Thanks to the Lord"  Of David.

138 I give you thanks, O Lord, with my whole heart;
    before the gods I sing your praise;
² I bow down toward your holy temple
    and give thanks to your name for your steadfast love and your faithfulness,
    for you have exalted above all things
    your name and your word.^[a]
3 On the day I called, you answered me;
    my strength of soul you increased.^[b]

⁴ All the kings of the earth shall give you thanks, O Lord,
    for they have heard the words of your mouth,
⁵ and they shall sing of the ways of the Lord,
    for great is the glory of the Lord.
⁶ For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly,
    but the haughty he knows from afar.

⁷ Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
    you preserve my life;
you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies,
    and your right hand delivers me.
⁸ The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me;
    your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever.
    Do not forsake the work of your hands.

 
 
Why do we need to thank God for what he gives us?  Does he need our thanks?  Is he going to be offended if we don't thank him?  Is he going to take away his blessings if we fail to thank him for them?
 
As with any thanksgiving, the benefits to the receiver are minimal.  The real reason we give thanks is for ourselves, to realize how blessed we truly are.  When we truly thank God, not with meaningless platitudes but with the heart, we are even blessed in our thanksgiving.  The gift and the giver of the gift have so much more meaning to us when we are thankful! 
 
Are you thankful for God's gifts today?  Let's count just some of those gifts and see how thankful we really are
our breath
shelter
food
clothing
family
friends
creation (nature)
air conditioning......
 
I could go on all day.
 
Be sure to thank God for all that he has given you today.  Do it for your own good, well-being and joy! 
 
Prayer: Lord, thank you for all of Your blessings to me, too numerous to count.  Help me to be as thankful as I can be so that You can bless me more!  Amen.

 

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CALENDAR

Mon- Holy Yoga 7pm

Tues- Quilting 9-2; Council 7pm

Wed- Ladies Aid Luncheon at Denny's noon

Thurs- August newsletter deadline; Lutheranism 101 7pm
Fri- Youth return from NYG
Sat- Church basement reserved noon; Worship 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; Worship 11; Church basement reserved 11am
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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS COMING WEEKEND:  
Acolyte- 8:30- Zack Hoelscher   11- Hannah Johnson

Ushers- Alan Hofeldt, Tim Linke, Rich Talbert, Don Turnure

Altar-  Set up- Marilyn Foster and Sue Ruhl; Clean Up- Cheryl Bettlach

Elders-  Sat- Randy Fischer;  8:30- Don Turnure;  11- Jim Rahn
 
Greeters-  8:30- Randy and Patty Sweet;  11- Joan Sexton

Lay Readers- Sat- Sandra Perricone  8:30- Christy Winn; 11- Jim Rahn

Piano (Saturday and Sunday)- Molly Hendershot

Projectionists:  Sat- ???? ; 8:30- Erv Yoder; 11- Gus

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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:  Where is Cush?

 

Another easy-peasy quiz. Cush is located inside a.....duttatada!..... cushion! Which is why they are called cushions. Well, duh!

But this is actually a tricky question because Cush – apart from being a country – was also the name of two dudes. And both are dead, so, the answer could be:

1) they've turned into dirt

2) they were worm chow which became DIRT

But the country Cush – founded by Cush – is generally thought to be modern Ethiopia. And there you have it.

 

 

And here's an answer from Don Turnure...

Frank Cush was head football coach at A S U. This is the first one of these I could answer.

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TODAY'S QUIZ: What is a "lapis lazuli" from Isaiah 54:12?

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NEWS!!!!  (Lots of new news so make sure you read it all the way through!!)

 

HOLY YOGA EVERY MONDAY NIGHT AT 7PM!

Jesus + exercise= AWESOME!  Please join Amanda Nordwald as she leads you through different poses, stretches, exercises and even devotions!  This is a great way to get fit and grow in God's Word at the same time!  A $5 donation is suggested.

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CELEBRATION BIKE RIDE ON SUNDAY, JULY 31!!! PLEASE JOIN PASTOR!!

Pastor will be ending his 1,000 mile journey at the Katy Trail at 1:30pm on Sunday August 31!!  We will bike from the trailhead in Treloar to Blumenhoff Winery in Dutzow, approximately 11 miles.

 

Admission to this event is any donation to www.leadachild.org.  If you've already donated you're good to go! 

 

Let me know if you'll be participating!

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ST. JOHN'S ANNUAL FLOAT TRIP COMING UP LABOR DAY, SEPTEMBER 5!!

Would you like a relaxing and peaceful day on the river in God's creation?  Do you want to grow in fellowship with your brothers and sisters in Christ?  Come and join us!

Here are the details:

1. Meet at 9:30am at Ozark Outdoors www.ozarkoutdoors.net

 

2. PRICES

canoes $20 per person

kayaks- $28 per person

rafts- $29 per person

tubes are $25 per person

If you have your own equipment it is $30 per craft to ride the bus.

Children ages 7-12 are $15 and 7 and under are free

 

3. What you will need:

sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, food, beverages, a good attitude. 

 

4. Contact Teresa Scott to sign up

tscott@usmo.com

cell- 636-359-0274

work- (Schraer HVAC) 456-5041

 

Remember, this is a float, not a race.  It is a leisurely float down the river with lots of stops along the way!

 

If you choose to spend the weekend, please make camping, motel, or cabin arrangements through Ozark Outdoors or with Onondaga State Park www.mostateparks.com.  Hiking and cave tours are also available in Onondaga State Park. 

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T-3 MEN'S RETREAT COMING UP SEPTEMBER 23-25 AT MARK TWAIN LAKE!

Go to www.t3mensretreat.org for details or give me a call at 636-359-1061.

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GUN CLUB OUTING COMING UP SATURDAY, AUGUST 13!!!

 Our next Gun Club outing will be at Whetstone Creek Conservation Area Gun Range on Saturday, August 13, from 9am-Noon.  You can either bring your own guns and ammo to shoot at the range or we will have a whole range set up for a special "fam fire" (armed forces code for familiarization fire) on a separate range for those who don't own a gun but would like to learn to shoot and learn about various types of firearms.  Paul Brockfeld and others will have several different firearms and ammo to use for $20 per person.  Please sign up on the sheet on the counter in the narthex so we know how many are coming and who is or is not bringing their own guns and ammo. 
 
Directions to the range: DO NOT follow the signs to Whetstone Creek.  If you follow the signs, you will not go to the firearms range.  From Warrenton take I-70 to the Williamsburg exit.  At the top of the ramp turn right and head north into Williamsburg.  At the first stop sign go straight (Sign will tell you to turn left to go to Whetstone Creek CA - do not turn left).  At the second stop sign go straight.  Road will turn to gravel as you leave Williamsburg.  Once road turns to gravel it is approximately 2.3 miles to the range on the right.  Parking lot is before the range.

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LADIES AID SUMMER LUNCHEON WEDNESDAY, JULY 20 AT NOON AT DENNY'S!!!!

All ladies are invited!!  Make sure you sign the list on the counter in the narthex by Sunday, July 17 so reservations can be made.

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VBS "CHRISTMAS IN JULY"  WILL BE HELD MONDAY, JULY 25-THURSDAY, JULY 28 

Supper begins at 5:30 each night.

Program begins at 6pm and goes till 8pm!

 

Volunteers and food is needed!  Please sign up on the donation and volunteers sheets on the table in the narthex or call Kelsey at 573-803-7826 to volunteer or donate.

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RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE ON THURSDAY, AUGUST 4!!

Help is needed for making calls and appointments, and also for the day of the drive we need strong people to move tables and chairs, a person to register donors, and another to serve refreshments.  The Red Cross has cut back on their help, which puts an extra load on the hosts.  Call Marilyn at 456-2888 to volunteer!! v

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STEPHEN MINISTRY NEEDS MORE STEPHEN MINISTERS!!

Stephen ministry is a one on one caring ministry in which a person goes through 50 hours off training to be a better listener and care giver.  Even if you don't become an active Stephen Minister, this training is beneficial just for your daily life! 

 

Please consider going through the training!  It is very beneficial. 

 

And please consider becoming a Stephen Minister.  It has been a huge help and benefit to our congregation for the last 13 years, and I would love to see it grow! 

 

Call me at 636-359-1061 to let me know you're interested.  Or go to www.stephenministry.org to learn more about it.

 

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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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OPERATION BACKPACK FOR JULY IS INDIVIDUALLY WRAPPED SNACKS AND OATMEAL PACKETS!!!

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 the HARGROVE FAMILY as they mourn the loss of Dave's dad Charles.

 

For the SCHULZE FAMILY at thesuddden  death of Larry and Jeri's son in law Randy from a freak work accident .  Visitation will be this Saturday at McCoy Blossom Funeral Home in Troy.

 

For LIL WINTER who will begin therapy for piriformis syndrome today and who is still awaiting surgery on her shoulder.

 

For LAW ENFORCEMENT EVERYWHERE, that we would keep the 4th commandment and honor those who serve and protect us from evildoers. 

 

For THOSE MOURNING THE LOSS OF LOVED ONES IN NICE, FRANCE. That the Lord would give them peace in this very tragic time.

 

For MARIANNE LINKE, who is recovering from surgery. She is recovering well at home.

 

For BOB RUHL, who is recovering from surgery and a problem with fluid on his lungs. 

 

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.