DEVOTION: Leviticus 18:1-5 and 19:9-18
Leviticus 19:9-18
9 "When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge, neither shall you gather the gleanings after your harvest. 10 And you shall not strip your vineyard bare, neither shall you gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard. You shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am the Lord your God.
11 "You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; you shall not lie to one another. 12 You shall not swear by my name falsely, and so profane the name of your God: I am the Lord.
13 "You shall not oppress your neighbor or rob him. The wages of a hired worker shall not remain with you all night until the morning. 14 You shall not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block before the blind, but you shall fear your God: I am the Lord.
15 "You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor. 16 You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand up against the life[of your neighbor: I am the Lord.
17 "You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him. 18 You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.
Jesus said that all the law can be summed up in that last verse you just read, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." If we just did that..... can you imagine what the world would look like? Can you imagine what your own relationships would look like? Can you imagine how your life would be different if YOU did that, if you loved your neighbor as yourself.
Unfortunately, none of us have kept this law as we should. We are sinful human beings, living in a sinful world, among other sinful people. Yet, because we have been washed and cleansed of our sin, we have the ability to live a new life. We have the Holy Spirit living in us, and because of that, we are able, by the Holy Spirit's power and urging, to love our neighbor as ourselves.
So... living this new life... how do we go about loving the way Christ wants us to? Well, he very plainly tells us and even commands us how. He says, "Give to anyone as he has need". He says, "Go and make disciples". He says, "If you forgive anyone their sins, they are forgiven them." These are the ways to "love your neighbor as yourself". Or if you want further instruction, just read the passage above over again. All these you are able to do by the power of the Holy Spirit living in you.
At the same time, you still have that sinful nature warring against the Spirit, and so there will be times, every day, that you will fail at loving. That's why Christ died and why Christ continues to give you His forgiveness through the Word and the Sacraments. Trust in that today. Know that your sins are forgiven, and live by the Spirit!
Prayer: Lord, we thank you for cleansing us from all our failures. Help us to live by Your Spirit so that we can love youand our neighbor. Amen.
18 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 "Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, I am the Lord your God. 3 You shall not do as they do in the land of Egypt, where you lived, and you shall not do as they do in the land of Canaan, to which I am bringing you. You shall not walk in their statutes. 4 You shall follow my rules[a] and keep my statutes and walk in them. I am the Lord your God. 5 You shall therefore keep my statutes and my rules; if a person does them, he shall live by them: I am the Lord.
Leviticus 19:9-18
9 "When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge, neither shall you gather the gleanings after your harvest. 10 And you shall not strip your vineyard bare, neither shall you gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard. You shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner: I am the Lord your God.
11 "You shall not steal; you shall not deal falsely; you shall not lie to one another. 12 You shall not swear by my name falsely, and so profane the name of your God: I am the Lord.
13 "You shall not oppress your neighbor or rob him. The wages of a hired worker shall not remain with you all night until the morning. 14 You shall not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block before the blind, but you shall fear your God: I am the Lord.
15 "You shall do no injustice in court. You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great, but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor. 16 You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand up against the life[of your neighbor: I am the Lord.
17 "You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him. 18 You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.
Jesus said that all the law can be summed up in that last verse you just read, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." If we just did that..... can you imagine what the world would look like? Can you imagine what your own relationships would look like? Can you imagine how your life would be different if YOU did that, if you loved your neighbor as yourself.
Unfortunately, none of us have kept this law as we should. We are sinful human beings, living in a sinful world, among other sinful people. Yet, because we have been washed and cleansed of our sin, we have the ability to live a new life. We have the Holy Spirit living in us, and because of that, we are able, by the Holy Spirit's power and urging, to love our neighbor as ourselves.
So... living this new life... how do we go about loving the way Christ wants us to? Well, he very plainly tells us and even commands us how. He says, "Give to anyone as he has need". He says, "Go and make disciples". He says, "If you forgive anyone their sins, they are forgiven them." These are the ways to "love your neighbor as yourself". Or if you want further instruction, just read the passage above over again. All these you are able to do by the power of the Holy Spirit living in you.
At the same time, you still have that sinful nature warring against the Spirit, and so there will be times, every day, that you will fail at loving. That's why Christ died and why Christ continues to give you His forgiveness through the Word and the Sacraments. Trust in that today. Know that your sins are forgiven, and live by the Spirit!
Prayer: Lord, we thank you for cleansing us from all our failures. Help us to live by Your Spirit so that we can love youand our neighbor. Amen.
CALENDAR
Tues- No quilting
Thurs- Alzheimer's Support group 1pm; Lutheranism 101 resumes 7pm
Sat- Worship 5pm; Pastor out of town helping sister move, Pastor Grund will be here
Sun- worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; Worship 11
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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS COMING WEEKEND:
Acolyte- 8:30- Jack Bunge 11- Jacob Cluver
Ushers- Brett Nordwald, Charlie Figura, Jason Figura, Erv Yoder
Altar- Set up- Marilyn Foster and Sue Ruhl; Clean Up- Wanda Turnure
Elders- Sat- Steve Robine; 8:30- John Hachtel; 11- Dave Winter
Greeters- 8:30- Terry and Lynn Russell; 11- Dan and Lisa Rausch
Lay Readers- Sat- Marcia Sevier 8:30- Jacob Nagel; 11- Sandy Robine
Piano (Saturday and Sunday)- Kathy Barrow
Projectionists: No projection this week
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: What happened to Uzziah because of his sin? He contracted leprosy on his forehead and it didn't go away until the day he died, because he burnt incense illegally in the temple instead of only the priests doing it.
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TODAY'S QUIZ: Who did Isaiah prophecy against?
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NEWS!!!! (Lots of new news so make sure you read it all the way through!!)
PARKING LOT RESURFACING TODAY AND TOMORROW!
You will not be able to park on the lot. Please park on Whispering Pines Ln. and cut across the parking lot to come to the office.
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LUTHERANISM 101 IS BACK AT IT THIS THURSDAY AT 7PM!!
Come and learn more about your faith and grow in fellowship with other Christians at the same time. I'll bring dessert!
Every lesson is a stand alone lesson, so you can come and know that you have not missed a thing if you haven't been there.
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ONE LAST DOOR OFFERING THIS WEEKEND TO HELP OUR YOUTH AND FAMILIES TO MAKE IT TO NEW ORLEANS AND BACK!!
Please help them out and give as you are able! They are leaving on Friday, July 15 and will be back on Thursday, July 21!
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THE FELLOWSHIP REFRESHMENT SHEET IS BLANK. THE DONUTS DON'T JUST MAGICALLY SHOW UP SUNDAY AFTER SUNDAY.
If you have benefitted from these refreshments, but haven't done your fair share, please think about signing up for a Sunday in the near future. Call 456-2888 to sign up for this Sunday or any of the following Sundays.
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NATIONAL YOUTH GATHERING PARTICIPANTS MUST BE AT CHURCH THIS WEEKEND AND AT BIBLE STUDY NEXT TUESDAY NIGHT AT 7PM!!!!
1. Your congregation has supported you in a lot of wonderful ways and they want to pray for you and wish you well as you prepare to depart! Please make every effort to be there for worship so they can pray for you and so you can thank them for their generosity and support!
2. You've had a lot of physical and material preparations for the gathering (fund raising, packing preparations, etc. Now it's time to prepare your hearts for it. Pastor will be leading a Bible study on what it means to have a "Vacation with Jesus". I will grill hotdogs and hamburgers for us! Please bring your insurance cards and your $60 activity fee to this meeting!
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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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LONG TERM CARE WORKSHOP ON TUESDAY, JULY 19 AT 6:30PM!!
The choices have changed. Are you confused about long term care? Most people are. You may have thought you didn't qualify. Come explore the new face of Long Term Care and how it may benefit your family.
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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!!
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SUNDAY SCHOOL CONTINUES THROUGH THE SUMMER
Each week the children will play different board games which will be coordinated with the Bible lesson. Bring your kids to have some fun and to learn the Scriptures at the same time.
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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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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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SCRIP PROGRAM CONTINUES!!
Here's how it works:
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 LIL WINTER who is hospitalized with sever pain in her neck and a torn shoulder.
For PAT MANNESS, who is recovering from hip replacement and pelvic reconstruction surgery at Delmar Gardens.
For DON NOLTE'S BROTHER, GERALD, who is recovering from very serious heart surgery. He is doing very well!
For MOLLY HENDERSHOT, who is recovering from a broken shoulder at home.
For PAT JAEGER, who is recovering from knee replacement surgery.
For MARIANNE LINKE, who continues to deal with weakness, swelling in her legs and feet, and other health issues at home.
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.
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