St. John's Lutheran ChurchWarrenton, MO: 03/07/16

YOLO?

TEXT: Luke 6:31 - Do to others as you would have them do to you.

The difference between something that's just inspirational and something biblical is hard to see at times. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other such websites are filled with funny, helpful, not-so-helpful, and sometimes just plain wrong content. Let's take a minute to think about these things.

From social media I am regularly told to "follow my heart," "dance like no one's watching," or "keep calm" about something. Some of those aren't so bad, right? Some can be silly or funny. Some of them send a message that can be dangerous, though. Take "YOLO" (you only live once), for instance. It seems innocent enough, at first. However, it's frequently used to excuse bad behavior. Being irresponsible is okay because "Hey, you only live once! Just do what you want!" Even advice like "follow your heart" can be tricky. By nature, we are sinners. Why would I follow the desires of my heart? My heart's been wrong more than a few times. That could be a dangerous path.

Biblical guidance is where you find the good stuff. The Word of God tells us to "love one another" and "forgive your enemy" and how we are to be "the light of the world." The "golden rule" is God's personal advice: "Do unto others as you would have them do to you." That's not just a good idea, that's God's way of living. His way is what brings you happiness and contentment in this world. Keep His Word in mind the next time you're surfing for inspiration on the Internet.

THE PRAYER: Jesus, this is a confusing world we live in. So many sources of info tell me different things that it's hard to know what's good and true. Lord, help me understand what is pleasing to You. Remind me to look to You for advice and inspiration. Amen.

Written by Annie Hutchison

DEVOTION: Psalm 126

126 When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion,
    we were like those who dream.
²Then our mouth was filled with laughter,
    and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then they said among the nations,
    "The Lord has done great things for them."
³The Lord has done great things for us;
    we are glad.

4 Restore our fortunes, O Lord,
    like streams in the Negeb!
5 Those who sow in tears
    shall reap with shouts of joy!
6 He who goes out weeping,
    bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy,
    bringing his sheaves with him.
 
For all of us there are times of great rejoicing and joy and times of great sorrow and weeping.  Sometimes these can both happen in the very same day, even the same hour.   Our circumstances can most certainly change in an instant.  They can change as a direct result of our actions or totally and completely despite our actions. Our circumstances are like the weather in Missouri, 30 degrees and snowing one day and 75 degrees and tornadoes the next.   If there's one thing we can't trust, it's our circumstances.  
 
There is one thing, one person, we can trust.  He is Jesus!  He goes above and beyond our circumstances, but he also stays with us in our circumstances.  He is the solid rock we can hold on to when the winds of change are whipping all around us.  He is the steady in our unsteady life.  He is the impenetrable fortress when our human walls are crumbling all around us.  
 
And one day, ONE DAY, he will restore our circumstances to himself.  One day, whether it is the day of our death, or the day of His judgment, it will be the end of all that uncertainty and all that trouble and the beginning of a sweet, steady, and certain rest.  Then we will laugh out loud and our tongues, throats, and lungs will be filled with nothing but shouts of joy!
 
Until that day, we still have a steady God with us, by our side, and in us who holds us close and won't let us go.  Trust in His steady and certain love today!  
 
Prayer: Lord, remind me that I have you to hold on to when the storms around me are raging and everything is crumbling.  Amen. 

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CALENDAR:
Mon- confirmation 5-6:15
Tues- Quilting 9-2; Bible study 11:30-12:15; Trustees meeting 7pm
Wed- Supper 5:30; Worship 6:30; Choir 7:15
Thurs- Board of outreach meeting 5pm; Gun club organizational meeting 7pm
Sat- worship 5pm
Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45; Elder meeting noon
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WORSHIP WORKERS:
Acolyte- Wed- Zack Hoelscher 8:30- Hannah Johnson 11- Gus Klaustermeier

Ushers-   Wed- Alan Hofeldt, Tim Linke, Rich Talbbert, Don Turnure; Sun- Scott and Alex Heitgerd, Bob and Tom Linke

Altar- Wed Candles- Terry McKenzie; Sun Set up- Terry McKenzie ; Clean up- Wanda Turnure

Elders- Sat- Steve Robine; 8:30- Roy Bohning; 11- Don Turnure

Greeters- 8:30- Allan and Barb Dreyer; 11- Dan and Lisa Rausch

Lay Readers- Sat- Steve Robine; 8:30-  Tim Linke; 11 -  Kailyn Blechle

Pianist- Sat- Barb Dreyer

Organist- Wed and Sun- Rachel Fisher

Projectionists: Sat- Perricone 8:30- Schaumberg; 11- Kalene Masters
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YESTERDAY'S BIBLE QUIZ: What was the penalty for almost all sexual sins in the Old Testament? death

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TODAY'S QUIZ: What is the "Ceremony of Reminder" in Deuteronomy?

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NEWS!!!!

WHO'S INTERESTED IN A GUN CLUB AT ST. JOHN'S AFTER EASTER?? PLEASE COME TO AN ORGANIZATIONAL/INFORMATIONAL MEETING AT 7PM ON THURSDAY!!!

I have been wanting to start a gun club at St. John's for quite some time.

1. I'd like it to at least start out on an introductory/educational level to learn the basics of gun safety and handling.

2. I'd also like it to include everyone: men and women, boys and girls.

3. I would like to have an organizational meeting with all who are interested next Thursday at 7pm!!

4. The first 15 minutes of our gatherings would be devotion/Bible study time.

5. Please reply or call/email @ 636-359-1061 to let me know you are interested.

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HOW MUCH DO YOU ACTUALLY KNOW ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A LUTHERAN?

How did it start?

Who is Martin Luther?

Why are there so many different Lutheran denominations?

Why am I Lutheran?

What do Lutherans believe about:

Angels

Demons

ghosts

heaven

hell

politics

guns

death penalty

etc..........

If you want to know then mark your calendars for the first Wednesday after Easter at 7pm to be at church!!

We are going to begin a class called "Lutheranism 101", which I would say is like the advanced class after confirmation.

Please reply or call/email @ 636-359-1061 to let me know you are interested.

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SIGN UP FOR CHURCH DIRECTORY PHOTOS!!

The photographer will be here March 16-19. Sign up after worship or online through the church website www.stjohnswarrenton.com Go to the website and click on the text link to the photographer's scheduling site. For assistance or questions contact Alan Hofeldt at 456-3070.

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SIGN UP FOR EASTER LILLIES!

A sign up sheet is on the counter in the narthex. Sign your name and if in memory of someone or for a special occasion. Price is $14.50 each. You will be able to take them home after Easter Services.

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LITTLE LAMBS PRESCHOOL WILL BE ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2016-2017 SCHOOL YEAR STARTING TOMORROW FOR CURRENT STUDENTS AND ST. JOHN'S MEMBERS!!! OPEN REGISTRATION FOR EVERYONE STARTS APRIL 1.

Registration forms are available from Little Lambs or the church office. All registration forms must accompany the $45 nonrefundable registration fee. Children should be 3 or 4 by August 1. For more info talk to Lisa Rausch or Karin Klaustermeier.

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SATURDAY PIANIST NEEDED

We could use another pianist on Saturday night since Tim and Kathleen Sherman have moved to Wentzville and transferred their membership there. Please let me know if you or someone you know is available one Saturday a month. You get paid.

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PLEASE SUPPORT LITERACY IN WARREN COUNTY!!

Warren County Literacy Inc. (of which I am a member and on the board along with Allan Dreyer) is going to be giving away 70 bookcases stocked with books in April to children who are in the head Start Program in Warren County. This is the fifth year for this wonderful event. What we need is people to sponsor a bookcase for $50. If you are able and willing, please reply to this email or call/text at 636-359-1961. Make checks payable to Warren County Literacy Inc. The ceremony at which the kids get their bookcases is on Sunday, April 10 at 2pm at Wright City Middle School.
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LENT DINNERS ARE EVERY WEDNESDAY DURING LENT AT 5:30!!

Over the last many, many years your Jr. and Sr. high youth and their parents (mostly their parents) have been serving dinner on Wednesday nights during Lent. While this is a good way for the youth and their parents to serve and give back to the congregation, it is also supposed to be a way for them to raise money for their service projects and trips.

Unfortunately over the past several years, they have barely broken even on these dinners. The parents usually donate the desserts and even much of the other food out of their own pockets. Without that the youth would probably lose money.

It is especially important that they make money this year, as they will need all they can get to make their goal for the National Youth Gathering in new Orleans.

I want to encourage you all to attend these dinners, and, while there is no set price per person for these dinners, a generous free will offering is strongly encouraged!!

Below is the Menu for each week:

March 9-
pasta
salad
rolls
desserts

March 16-
Fried Chicken
potatoes
corn
rolls
desserts

As always, thank you for your continued support of the future of Christianity!!!

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DO YOU KNOW OF ANYONE WHO WOULD BENEFIT FROM RECEIVING THIS DAILY EMAIL?

If you know of someone who isn't currently receiving my daily emails but would like to, please reply to this email with their email address and I will add them to the list. THANK YOU!

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OPERATION BACKPACK FOR MARCH IS INDIVIDUALLY WRAPPED SNACKS AND PACKETS OF OATMEAL!!

(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 PRAYERS:

For KRYSTLE GRUENEFELD, a mother of one of our Little Lambs, who is recovering from a brief hospitalization and pneumonia after giving birth to her second daughter.

For PAT MANESS, a former member of St. John's and friend to many, who is hospitalized with severe leg troubles.

For SHARON GARRETT a friend to some at St. John's, and soon-to-be member, who fell and broke both of her ankles and is recovering at Delmar Gardens, O'Fallon.

For DON BRAZEE who is hospitalized with pneumonia and other complication from a tick bourne illness. They have decided to take on a totally different course of treatment that seems to be working better so far.

For MARIAH, a granddaughter of Pat Jaeger's best friend, who has been diagnosed with childhood leukemia.

For PASTOR MCCRACKEN, from Trinity in Troy, who is on a two month leave to heal from cancer treatments.

For PASTOR PIPER, from St. Paul, New Melle, as he recovers from a heart attack he had while running a 5K in Florida.

For DENISE SCHLESSELMANN as she is in need of more funding to continue her mission work in the Czech Republic.

St. John's Lutheran Church
Warrenton, MO

LHM Devotion -- March 7, 2016

YOLO?

Daily Email: Monday, March 7, 2016

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