DEVOTION: Genesis 15:1-6 (ESV)
"God's Covenant with Abram"
I'm not sure why we question God's promises as much as we do. I take that back... I am sure. We question God, because we judge his promises according to our experiences with people. People, our children, our spouse, our boss, our coworkers, our pastor.... every human being will let us down. Even we, ourselves, will mess up and fail to keep all the promises we have made.
Abram was doing the same thing. He was evaluating God's promise to give him an heir according to his experiences with mere humans. Didn't he know who he was talking to? Do we forget who we are hearing when we hear or read God's Word?
God hasn't promised you a million dollars. He hasn't promised you that you would be great and powerful. He hasn't promised that you will live a peaceful and easy life. SO don't even think that God is giving you a raw deal when bad things happen to you.
On the other hand, he promised to Abraham and to all the generations afterward that he would send his one and only Son .... AND HE DID! He promised that he would forgive our wickedness and forget our sins..... AND HE DID! He promised that he would rise on the third day..... AND HE DID! He promised that he will come back and take us to be where he is... AND HE WILL. He promised that he will come again to judge the living and the dead and restore his kingdom to what he intended before the fall... AND HE WILL!!
Trust his promises for the sole reason that HE IS GOD. He is not a mere human who fails. He is God and he always does what he says he is going to do. Trust in Him and have peace in His most certain promises of eternal life for you!
Prayer: Lord, when I doubt you, because of my experiences with this fallen creation, put away my fear and doubt and replace it with your peace and joy. Amen.
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"God's Covenant with Abram"
15 After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: "Fear not, Abram, I am your shield; your reward shall be very great." 2 But Abram said, "O Lord God, what will you give me, for I continue[a] childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?" 3 And Abram said, "Behold, you have given me no offspring, and a member of my household will be my heir." 4 And behold, the word of the Lord came to him: "This man shall not be your heir; your very own son[b] shall be your heir." 5 And he brought him outside and said, "Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them." Then he said to him, "So shall your offspring be." 6 And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.
I'm not sure why we question God's promises as much as we do. I take that back... I am sure. We question God, because we judge his promises according to our experiences with people. People, our children, our spouse, our boss, our coworkers, our pastor.... every human being will let us down. Even we, ourselves, will mess up and fail to keep all the promises we have made.
Abram was doing the same thing. He was evaluating God's promise to give him an heir according to his experiences with mere humans. Didn't he know who he was talking to? Do we forget who we are hearing when we hear or read God's Word?
God hasn't promised you a million dollars. He hasn't promised you that you would be great and powerful. He hasn't promised that you will live a peaceful and easy life. SO don't even think that God is giving you a raw deal when bad things happen to you.
On the other hand, he promised to Abraham and to all the generations afterward that he would send his one and only Son .... AND HE DID! He promised that he would forgive our wickedness and forget our sins..... AND HE DID! He promised that he would rise on the third day..... AND HE DID! He promised that he will come back and take us to be where he is... AND HE WILL. He promised that he will come again to judge the living and the dead and restore his kingdom to what he intended before the fall... AND HE WILL!!
Trust his promises for the sole reason that HE IS GOD. He is not a mere human who fails. He is God and he always does what he says he is going to do. Trust in Him and have peace in His most certain promises of eternal life for you!
Prayer: Lord, when I doubt you, because of my experiences with this fallen creation, put away my fear and doubt and replace it with your peace and joy. Amen.
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CALENDAR
CALENDAR
Tues- Election day; Quilting 9-2
Thurs- Alzheimers support group 1pm; Red Cross Blood Drive 3-7; L 101 7pm
Sat- Worship 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; Worship 11; Preschool reserved noon; Fellowship Hall floor stripped and waxed noon
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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS COMING WEEKEND:
Acolyte- 8:30- Lydia Miller 11- George Pezold
Ushers- Youth
Altar- Set up- Dane and Jodi Baldwin; Clean Up- Pam Linke
Elders- Sat- Jason Cluver; 8:30- Randy Sweet; 11- Steve Robine
Greeters- 8:30- Rich and Peggy Talbert; 11- Steve and Sandy Robine
Lay Readers- Sat- Marcia Sevier 8:30- Youth; 11- Youth
Piano- Sat- Kathy Barrow;
Sat- Worship 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; Worship 11; Preschool reserved noon; Fellowship Hall floor stripped and waxed noon
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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS COMING WEEKEND:
Acolyte- 8:30- Lydia Miller 11- George Pezold
Ushers- Youth
Altar- Set up- Dane and Jodi Baldwin; Clean Up- Pam Linke
Elders- Sat- Jason Cluver; 8:30- Randy Sweet; 11- Steve Robine
Greeters- 8:30- Rich and Peggy Talbert; 11- Steve and Sandy Robine
Lay Readers- Sat- Marcia Sevier 8:30- Youth; 11- Youth
Piano- Sat- Kathy Barrow;
Sunday's music will all be youth led
Projectionists: ????? A new schedule will be put together this week
Projectionists: ????? A new schedule will be put together this week
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: Where is the Valley of Ben Hinnom?
Right next to Ben's Hill. Hence, the reason it's called his Valley. Well, duh!
But, again, with 2 answers.
1) the Hebrew name is Gehinnom (Rabbinical: גהנום/גהנם), which translates to hell or purgatory for the Jews. So, if you know where hell is, you know where this valley is. Anyway, it started off as a place where Jews liked to sacrifice their kids to fire. Hence, the analogy to hell.
2) The actual place – and it is a place, who knew! – is the valley surrounding Jerusalem's Old City. It includes Mount Zion, from the west and south. It meets and merges with the Kidron Valley – which is the other main valley around the Old City, near the southeastern corner of the city.
BTW, this is the place associated with the potter's field the priests bought with those 30 pieces of silver they had initially give to Judas to betray Christ. It is also the place where he killed himself.
Here's a nifty article about the place, from an Israeli tourism site:
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TODAY'S QUIZ: How old was Josiah when he became king, and how long did he reign?
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NEWS!!!! (Lots of new news so make sure you read it all the way through!!)
RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE THIS THURSDAY!!!!! YOUR HELP IS NEEDED DESPERATELY!!
Call 456-2888 to donate blood or to volunteer to help!!
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BACKPACK BLESSINGS THIS WEEKEND!!
Bring your kids, grandkids and backpacks to church this weekend so that the Lord can bless them and their school year!
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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.
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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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
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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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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GENERAL PRAYER
For the TINNIN FAMILY at the loss of Dave's mom Sunday night.
for LENA OWENS as she has knee replacement surgery this week.
For BOB RUHL, who is at Barnes Hospital recovering from sepsis due to a perforated bowel, and also recovering from a heart attack. He is on the mend.
For DON BRAZEE as he is in failing health and is now confined to a bed on hospice care.
For SHERRY BEASLEY as she recovers from gall bladder surgery.
For Lead a Child, as they continue to provide much needed financial assistance for children in third world countries to go to school and get the care they need.
For the HARGROVE FAMILY as they mourn the loss of Dave's dad Charles. (His memorial visitation and service will be Saturday, August 20, 1-3pm.
For LAW ENFORCEMENT EVERYWHERE, that we would keep the 4th commandment and honor those who serve and protect us from evildoers.
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 begins her work as a teacher of English as a second language in the Czech Republic and transitions to regular life there.
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