DEVOTION: Colossians 1:1-14 (ESV)
Grace to you and peace from God our Father.
3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, 7 just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant.[b] He is a faithful minister of Christ on your[c] behalf 8 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit.
9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. 11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, 12 giving thanks[d] to the Father, who has qualified you[e] to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
If only we would greet each other as saints in the way that Paul greets the Colossians in this passage. "We ALWAYS" thank God, the father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus......"
We don't do this enough. We aren't thankful for the faith of our brothers and sisters in Christ around us. We don't thank god nearly enough for the faith he has given us and those who are of the household of faith. We need to do that more?
Why? Because when people see our joy and thanksgiving for the faith we have received, and they see the difference it makes in our lives and in the lives of our families, they can't help but want it for themselves. I am convinced of this.
We are a growing church! You read that right.... St. John's is a growing church! It may not always look like it, but we are definitely growing. Six new people this past week! Two baptisms and four new members in the very near future. We just keep on growing in the middle of a society that seems to see Christianity shrinking. We're not doing anything special. We have very formal worship on Saturday and early Sunday, and a very informal chapel worship on Sunday morning, so it definitely isn't about the latest or best worship style. We aren't compromising God's Word or the Lutheran confessions. We are sticking to it as we are a part of the LCMS.
So what is causing our growth? It is the Holy Spirit working through his children! It is the joy we see, feel, and express when another person comes to Christ. It is the way we are proud of our church and the Word and Sacraments that it stands for. Most importantly it is the love and family atmosphere we have with one another!
It has nothing to do with me. I am just the hands, feet, and mouth of God. It has nothing to do with you! You are just the hands, feet, and mouth of God. It has everything to do with the Holy Spirit working in you and through you. The more you rest in Him, and the more you open your life to the Spirit's work, the more blessings he will bring!
Are you partaking of this growth? Are you thankful for the faith God has given to those around you? Are you all about the ministry and mission of St. John's to grow up in faith, to grow out into the community, and to grow together in fellowship? Or are you being selfish with your faith and faith life? If you are, I can only tell you to repent and get on board! Start thanking God for the faith of your brothers and sisters in Christ! Be joyful for His blessings! Give peace and forgiveness to those who need it! Invite people to worship! Most importantly, live and rest in God's grace so that he can work through to do His will!
Prayer: Lord, help me to rest in you, get out of your way, and let you do your work through me. Amen.
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1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
2 To the saints and faithful brothers[a] in Christ at Colossae:Grace to you and peace from God our Father.
3 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, 7 just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant.[b] He is a faithful minister of Christ on your[c] behalf 8 and has made known to us your love in the Spirit.
9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. 11 May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, 12 giving thanks[d] to the Father, who has qualified you[e] to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
If only we would greet each other as saints in the way that Paul greets the Colossians in this passage. "We ALWAYS" thank God, the father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus......"
We don't do this enough. We aren't thankful for the faith of our brothers and sisters in Christ around us. We don't thank god nearly enough for the faith he has given us and those who are of the household of faith. We need to do that more?
Why? Because when people see our joy and thanksgiving for the faith we have received, and they see the difference it makes in our lives and in the lives of our families, they can't help but want it for themselves. I am convinced of this.
We are a growing church! You read that right.... St. John's is a growing church! It may not always look like it, but we are definitely growing. Six new people this past week! Two baptisms and four new members in the very near future. We just keep on growing in the middle of a society that seems to see Christianity shrinking. We're not doing anything special. We have very formal worship on Saturday and early Sunday, and a very informal chapel worship on Sunday morning, so it definitely isn't about the latest or best worship style. We aren't compromising God's Word or the Lutheran confessions. We are sticking to it as we are a part of the LCMS.
So what is causing our growth? It is the Holy Spirit working through his children! It is the joy we see, feel, and express when another person comes to Christ. It is the way we are proud of our church and the Word and Sacraments that it stands for. Most importantly it is the love and family atmosphere we have with one another!
It has nothing to do with me. I am just the hands, feet, and mouth of God. It has nothing to do with you! You are just the hands, feet, and mouth of God. It has everything to do with the Holy Spirit working in you and through you. The more you rest in Him, and the more you open your life to the Spirit's work, the more blessings he will bring!
Are you partaking of this growth? Are you thankful for the faith God has given to those around you? Are you all about the ministry and mission of St. John's to grow up in faith, to grow out into the community, and to grow together in fellowship? Or are you being selfish with your faith and faith life? If you are, I can only tell you to repent and get on board! Start thanking God for the faith of your brothers and sisters in Christ! Be joyful for His blessings! Give peace and forgiveness to those who need it! Invite people to worship! Most importantly, live and rest in God's grace so that he can work through to do His will!
Prayer: Lord, help me to rest in you, get out of your way, and let you do your work through me. Amen.
CALENDAR
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: Who did Isaiah prophecy against? I'll leave this up for one more day since no one answered it yesterday!
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NEWS!!!! (Lots of new news so make sure you read it all the way through!!)
PARKING LOT REpainting TODAY!
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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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 BOB RUHL, who had gall bladder surgery yesterday and is recovering in the hospital.
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 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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