Daily Email: Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016

DEVOTION:  Matthew 3:1-12 (ESV)

"John the Baptist Prepares the Way"

3 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, ² "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."^{[a] 3} For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said,

"The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
'Prepare^[b] the way of the Lord;
    make his paths straight.'"

⁴ Now John wore a garment of camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. ⁵ Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, ⁶ and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

⁷ But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? ⁸ Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. ⁹ And do not presume to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father,' for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. ¹⁰ Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

¹¹ "I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. ¹² His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."

John the Baptist came to prepare the way for the Lord Jesus to come into the hearts and minds of his people.  You would think he would do that by buttering them up, by saying things that would make them more receptive to Jesus, nice things, happy things, and all sorts of good stuff. 

What does he say?  He calls them to repentance,to turn away from their sin, so that they can follow Jesus.  He calls the Pharisees a "brood of vipers".  He doesn't mix words.  He doesn't make it sound nice.  He gives them the hardcore law.  He speaks the conviction and judgment of their sin. 

If you want to draw a crowd, that's not usually the way to do it.  Yet, it wasn't a crowd that was drawn simply by a fiery preacher or a wondrous sight to see in the wilderness.  It was a crowd that was drawn out to the wilderness by the Holy Spirit.  At just the right time, when the people were ready to hear, the Lord sent them out to John the Baptist to hear what they NEEDED to hear, not what they wanted, but what they NEEDED.

There are a lot of churches, clubs, organizations, and self help books that will tell you what you want to hear.  They draw crowds of thousands and thousands.  Yet, they are filled with hot air.  They aren't preparing the way of the Lord, nor are they preaching the forgiveness of the Lord throughthe mercy and grace of Christ.  They're just telling you "good" things that will fill with the false hope that you can make yourself better. 

I want to urge and plead with you to listen to the words of John the Baptist today.  "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!"  That kingdom of heaven is JESUS and he is standing at the door and knocking.  Repent of yoru sin and turn to Him so he can come in! 

Prayer: Lord, make us hear what we need to hear so that we might rely on your grace alone andnot our own understanding or strength.  Amen.

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CALENDAR
Thurs- Karate 5:15-7:30

Sat- Little Lamb's Christmas Program 3:30; Worship 5pm
Sun- Worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; Chapel 11; Little Lambs Christmas program 3:30 (SCRIP ORDERS DUE)
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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS COMING WEEKEND:  
Acolyte- 8:30- Dawn Sherman  11- Luke Rausch

Ushers-  Marv Hendershot, Don Luebke, Dave Callies, Don Nolte

Altar-   Set up- Ruth Walters; Clean Up- Terry McKenzie

Elders-  Sat- Randy Sweet; 8:30- John Hachtel  11- Steve Robine
 
Greeters-   8:30- Rob and Julie Schaumberg;  11- Steve and Sandy Robine

Lay Readers- Sat- Randy Sweet; 8:30- Lois Boeger; 11- Sandy Robine

Piano- Barb Dreyer

Organist- Rachel Fisher

Projectionists: Sat- Mauch; Sun- McKenzie
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YESTERDAY'S  QUIZ:  In what region/city were Paul and Silas jailed and the jailer converted?  Philippi

(Thank you Don Nolte and Al Benton for answering this yesterday!)

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TODAY'S QUESTION:  Here's a "what do you think" question:

What does it mean when Paul says, "Everything is permissible for me, but not everything is beneficial .  Everything is permissible for me but I will not be mastered by anything."?

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NEWS!!!! 

JOHN THE BAPTIST WILL BE PREACHING THROUGHOUT THE MIDWEEK ADVENT SEASON!  Come and hear what this fiery preacher has to say!

WEDNESDAY ADVENT FRIED CHICKEN AND POTLUCK DINNER 5:30

WORSHIP AT 6:30

1.  Bring a side dish, salad or dessert to share when it is your week to do so. Your elder will call you and let you know when it's your turn.

2. If it's not your week to bring food, just come and enjoy supper with your brothers and sisters in Christ

3. Stay for worship and hear what John the Baptist has to say about Jesus!

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BIBLE STUDY AT THE HENDERSHOT'S WILL BE ON DECEMBER 9th INSTEAD OF THE 16th THIS MONTH AS INDICATED ON THE CHURCH CALENDAR.

Marv and Molly will be out of town on the 16th.

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AGAPE NEEDS VOLUNTEERS AT BOTH THE THRIFT STORE AND THE FOOD DISTRIBUTION CENTER!!

Hours are 8-4.  Call 456-4645 to volunteer!

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SHOE COLLECTION AT CHURCH!!  BRING YOUR NEW OR SLIGHTLY WORN SHOES TO THE CHURCH OFFICE!

The tub is right outside the office door!

Our high school is collecting new or slightly used shoes to raise money for those in need in Warren County through the "Care to Learn" Program.  Bring your slightly used and new shoes to church! 

 

DON'T BRING WORN OUT OR OLD SHOES!!

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RELIGIOUS CHRISTMAS CARDS ARE FOR SALE FROM THE LADIES AID ON THE COUNTER IN THE BASEMENT FELLOWSHIP HALL

Prices are marked on the bottom of the box.  You may purchase them from any Ladies Aid member or from the office.

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OPERATION BACKPACK ITEMS COLLECTED FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER ARE INDIVIDUALLY WRAPPED SNACKS AND INSTANT OATMEAL

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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YOUR KROGER CARD CAN EARN MONEY FOR LITTLE LAMBS

Go to www.kroger.com/communityawards and register your card today!!

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GENERAL PRAYER

For DAVE CALLIES who is having surgery on his hand today.

For LEO BADER as he recovers from surgery.

For ERV YODER who is taking antibiotics for a very tough infection in his stomach and intestines. 

For BARB PERRICONE, who is at home recovering.

For PAT GERDING, Vickie McRae's brother in law, who is paralyzed, but is recovering at a nursing home.

 

For NORM BELINSKY, a friend of Jim and Vickie McRae, who is on hospice care and is nearing the end of his life.

 

For LOIS BOEGER'S MOM, who has been placed on hospice care due to cancer.  She is at home.

 

For DENNIS PERREY, as he is doing much better, is able to drive, but is not allowed to go hunting yet.    He is still in a bit of pain from time to time.