Daily Email: Thursday, October 13, 2016

DEVOTION:  Luke 18:1-8  (ESV)
 
"The Parable of the Persistent Widow"

18 And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, 'Give me justice against my adversary.' For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, 'Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.'" And the Lord said, "Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"

 
 
A lot of people misunderstand this parable.  They think that Jesus is saying that the more you bug Jesus, the more you are "persistent" in your prayers, the more likely God is to answer you.  As if you can nag Jesus into giving you what you want.  That's not what this passage is about.  It's about the goodness, mercy, and grace of Jesus. 
 
Sometimes, according to our timing, God seems to take longer to give us the justice, mercy, and help that we need.  It isn't that God is taking too long, God's timing is always perfect.  It's that he even in his timing he is giving you what you need.  It may be a lesson in patience that you need.  It may be a "toughening up" through suffering that you need.  It may be a breaking down so that you repent that you need. It may be that you suffering leads to physical death which will ultimately lead to eternal life.  God is ALWAYS working everything out for your good. 
 
So don't quit praying.  Keep your conversations with God going, but realize that God speaks back to you in His Word.  You need to have your ears open.  If you try to talk to someone on the phone but don't have the receiver anywhere near your ear, you're not going to hear the person on the other end.  If you have your ear pressed up to the phone you'll hear a whole lot better.
 
Have your ear pressed up to God's Word while you talk to Him in prayer.  Listen intently to what He has to say to you.  When you do, you will realize that, even though he may not be blessing you in the way you want, He is truly blessing you in an even better way, and you will have that peace that passes all understanding! 
 
Prayer:  Lord, bless me through my prayers.  Help me to not give up, but to trust that You are working everything out for my good and Your glory.  Amen.
 



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CALENDAR
Wed- Choir 7
Thurs- Karate 5:30-7:30; Lutheranism 101 6:30pm
Sat- Worship 5pm
Sun- Worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; Chapel 11; Bible Study with Kelsey at Imo's;  (Lutherans for Life Sunday)
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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS COMING WEEKEND:  
Acolyte- 8:30- Lydia Miller  11- Dulci Rahn

Ushers- George Hoelscher, Brent Davis, Gary Hoelscher, Ben Hoelscher

Altar-  Set up- Terry Mckenzie ; Clean Up- Terry McKenzie

Elders-  Sat- John Hachtel;  8:30- Jason Cluver;  11- Randy Fischer
 
Greeters-  8:30- Paul and Cindy Klover;  11- Dan and Lisa Rausch

Lay Readers- Sat- John Hachtel 8:30- Derek Ebert; 11- Paul Brockfeld

Piano- Sat- Kathy Barrow

Organist- Rachel Fisher

Projectionists: Sat- Kathy Fischer; 8:30- Julie Schaumberg
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YESTERDAY'S  QUIZ:  Who was Hanani?  (The one in Ezra's time.)

Ezra's brother who was put in charge of Jerusalem. along with Hananiah the commander of the citadel, because he was a man of integrity and feared God more than most men do.
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TODAY'S QUIZ: What evil thing did Eliashib the priest do?
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NEWS!!!! 
MEN'S BREAKFAST THIS SATURDAY AT 8AM!!
The menu will be a surprise.
 
We will continue to go through our video based study called "Regrets, Reality, Restoration"
 
Men of all ages, 1-100, are free to join us!
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ANNUAL VENDOR FAIR, BAKE SALE, AND LUNCHEON IS SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 9am-2pm! 
Vendors should reserve their table through the church office 456-2888.  Tables rent for $25 and checks should be made payable to St. John's Ladies Aid.
 
Vendors already signed up are:
Pampered Chef
Avon
Scentsy
Thirty One
Primitive Crafts
Finger Puppets and Animal nets
Jewelry
American Girl Doll Clothes
 
Luncheon will be hot dogs, chili, and pie
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HIGH SCHOOL BIBLE STUDY WILL MEET AT IMO'S AT 12:15 THIS SUNDAY!!
Come to church at 11 and then head over to Imo's for lunch!  The topic will be "Debunking Evolution"!!  Bring money for lunch!
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OPERATION BACKPACK ITEMS COLLECTED FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER ARE CANNED VEGETABLES
Any size can, and any kind of vegetable is appreciated.    Place them in the receptacle marked "Backpack Blessings" in the narthex.
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SCRIP ORDERS ARE ALWAYS PLACED ON THE FIRST MONDAY OF EACH MONTH!!
You can place your orders anytime before that!  Order forms are on the counter in the narthex or you can get them in Marilyn's office.  If you want another retailer on the list let Marilyn know!
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AGAPE DONATIONS ALWAYS ACCEPTED!!
Any nonperishable food items, diapers, toiletries, etc.!!
 
Perishable food items can be taken directly to Agape at 713 Powell St. in Warrenton.  Call 456-4645 to find out when they're open or for more info.
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QUILTERS DESPERATELY NEEDED!!!
Due to several illnesses, injuries, and people moving away there is a great need for more quilters!!  Experience is helpful but not necessary.  They meet 9-2 on Tuesdays.
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QUILT RAFFLE TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE FOR $1 EACH OR 6 for $5!!
Call the church office to reserve them or come by and purchase them!  The quilt will be awarded on November 5 at 2pm at the Ladies Aid Vendor Fair and Luncheon!!
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YOUR KROGER CARD CAN EARN MONEY FOR LITTLE LAMBS
Go to www.kroger.com/communityawards and register your card today!!
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LUTHERANISM 101 IS STILL GOING ON!  WE MEET AT 6:30pm ON THURSDAYS!
Come and learn everything there is to know about your Christian faith, or get  a refresher for the things you think you know!
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GENERAL PRAYER
For BOB RUHL as he is home on hospice care.
 
For LOIS BOEGER'S MOM, who has been placed on hospice care due to cancer.  She is at home.
 
For DENNIS PERREY, who is recovering at home from a very serious tractor and brush hog accident.  He has 6 broken ribs, both lungs were punctured and, 2 vertebrae were cracked.
 




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