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Daily Email: Monday, August 29, 2016
DEVOTION: (This is the only daily email for this week as I am going down to Baton Rouge tomorrow. So I am going to include all four readings from our weekly lectionary in this one devotion. Please read through all the readings throughout the week!)
Psalm 1 (ESV) Book One: "The Way of the Righteous and the Wicked"
Deuteronomy 30:15-20 (ESV)
15 "See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. 16 If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God[a] that I command you today, by loving the Lord your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules,[b] then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. 17 But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away to worship other gods and serve them, 18 I declare to you today, that you shall surely perish. You shall not live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to enter and possess. 19 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, 20 loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them."
Philemon (ESV)
"Greeting"
1 Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,
To Philemon our beloved fellow worker 2 and Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier, and the church in your house:
3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
"Philemon's Love and Faith"
4 I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, 5 because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, 6 and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.[a] 7 For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.
"Paul's Plea for Onesimus"
8 Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, 9 yet for love's sake I prefer to appeal to you—I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus— 10 I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus,[b] whose father I became in my imprisonment. 11 (Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.) 12 I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart. 13 I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel, 14 but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord. 15 For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, 16 no longer as a bondservant[c] but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
17 So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me. 18 If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. 19 I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it—to say nothing of your owing me even your own self. 20 Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.
21 Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. 22 At the same time, prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that through your prayers I will be graciously given to you.]
"Final Greetings"
23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you, 24 and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.
25 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Luke 14:25-35 (ESV)
"The Cost of Discipleship"
25 Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, 26 "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.' 31 Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. 33 So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.
"Salt Without Taste Is Worthless"
34 "Salt is good, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? 35 It is of no use either for the soil or for the manure pile. It is thrown away. He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
The line between right and wrong has been clearly defined by God. Anything that is not his will is bad, and anything that is his will is good. It is us humans who blur the lines, who call things good that aren't and call things bad that God calls good.
There's an old country song by Joe Diffie. The chorus of the song goes "You've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything." I like that chorus, because it is so true. The only problem is that you must stand for the truth! Anything else is nothing but shifting quicksand.
My friends, we are called to "speak the truth in love"! Jesus calls himself, "the way, the TRUTH, and the life." He tells us that "you will know the TRUTH and the TRUTH will set you free."
There is an absolute truth and it is Jesus! There is an absolute truth and it is God's Word. It's not something we just make up as we go depending on our feelings or what we think. Truth is not relative. It is absolute! Stand for the truth today! Stand up, STAND UP for Jesus!
Prayer: Lord, make us bold! Make us strong! Make us to stand up for Your truth! Amen.
Have a great and blessed week everyone!
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Psalm 1 (ESV) Book One: "The Way of the Righteous and the Wicked"
1 Blessed is the man[a]
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
2 but his delight is in the law[b] of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
3 He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.
4 The wicked are not so,
but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
6 for the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.
Deuteronomy 30:15-20 (ESV)
15 "See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. 16 If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God[a] that I command you today, by loving the Lord your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules,[b] then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. 17 But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away to worship other gods and serve them, 18 I declare to you today, that you shall surely perish. You shall not live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to enter and possess. 19 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, 20 loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them."
Philemon (ESV)
"Greeting"
1 Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,
To Philemon our beloved fellow worker 2 and Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier, and the church in your house:
3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
"Philemon's Love and Faith"
4 I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, 5 because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, 6 and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.[a] 7 For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.
"Paul's Plea for Onesimus"
8 Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, 9 yet for love's sake I prefer to appeal to you—I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus— 10 I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus,[b] whose father I became in my imprisonment. 11 (Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.) 12 I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart. 13 I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel, 14 but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord. 15 For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, 16 no longer as a bondservant[c] but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
17 So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me. 18 If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. 19 I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it—to say nothing of your owing me even your own self. 20 Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.
21 Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. 22 At the same time, prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that through your prayers I will be graciously given to you.]
"Final Greetings"
23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you, 24 and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.
25 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Luke 14:25-35 (ESV)
"The Cost of Discipleship"
25 Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, 26 "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.' 31 Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. 33 So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.
"Salt Without Taste Is Worthless"
34 "Salt is good, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? 35 It is of no use either for the soil or for the manure pile. It is thrown away. He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
The line between right and wrong has been clearly defined by God. Anything that is not his will is bad, and anything that is his will is good. It is us humans who blur the lines, who call things good that aren't and call things bad that God calls good.
There's an old country song by Joe Diffie. The chorus of the song goes "You've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything." I like that chorus, because it is so true. The only problem is that you must stand for the truth! Anything else is nothing but shifting quicksand.
My friends, we are called to "speak the truth in love"! Jesus calls himself, "the way, the TRUTH, and the life." He tells us that "you will know the TRUTH and the TRUTH will set you free."
There is an absolute truth and it is Jesus! There is an absolute truth and it is God's Word. It's not something we just make up as we go depending on our feelings or what we think. Truth is not relative. It is absolute! Stand for the truth today! Stand up, STAND UP for Jesus!
Prayer: Lord, make us bold! Make us strong! Make us to stand up for Your truth! Amen.
Have a great and blessed week everyone!
_________________________________________________________________________________
CALENDAR
Mon- Building Committee and Building Finance Committee Meetings 7pm; Holy Yoga 7pm
(Tues- Fri- Pastor gone to Baton Rouge)
Tues- Quilting 9-2
Wed- CHOIR STARTS 7pm
Thurs- Alzheimers Support Group 1pm; No Lutheranism 101
Sat- Worship 5pm
Sun- Worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; Chapel 11
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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS COMING WEEKEND:
Acolyte- 8:30- Sarah Cluver 11- Alaina Heitgerd
Ushers- Brett Nordwald, Charlie Figura, Jason Figura, Erv Yoder
Altar- Set up- Ruth Walters; Clean Up- Terry McKenzie
Elders- Sat- Steve Robine; 8:30- John Hachtel; 11- Randy Sweet
Greeters- 8:30- Erv Yoder; 11- Marv and Molly Hendershot
Lay Readers- Sat- Steve Robine 8:30- Erv Yoder; 11- Randy Sweet
Piano- Sat- Barb Dreyer
Organist- Rachel Fisher
Projectionists: Sat- Fischer; 8:30- Schaumberg
________________________________________________________________
TODAY'S QUIZ: Who wrote the book of Lamentations?
____________________________________________________________________________________
NEWS!!!!
BUILDING COMMITTEE AND BUILDING FINANCE COMMITTEE ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING TONIGHT AT 7PM!!!
We have accepted the Master Plan for the building program, now what?
We need to properly staff the Building and Finance Committees. Here are some of the expectations and tasks these committee members will be responsible for.
Building Committee requirements:
· Good communication and listening skills, ability to be the liaison between the building process and other St. John's members.
· Understanding of project management, (not necessarily construction experience), but have the ability to understand all phases and processes needed to complete building project.
· First task will be research, evaluation and selection of the architect for the building project.
· Much of the task will be less about solving the specific problems of construction, but rather communication with others in the church so concerns / ideas are explored and information is shared.
· Require 1 to 2 year time commitment and 100% attendance at meetings
We are looking for 4 to 6 members to serve.
Finance committee requirements:
· Good communication and listening skills, ability to be the liaison between the finance / fund raising process and St. John's` members.
· Working knowledge of finance, accounting, or banking is a great plus.
· Task will include working with fund raising campaign, working with concerns of congregation as well as making sure building project stays on budget.
· Require 1 to 2 year time commitment, 100% attendance at meetings
We are looking for 2 to 4 members to serve.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
CHOIR PRACTICE BEGINS THIS WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31 AT 7PM!!
Anyone high school age or older is welcome!!! They need more singers. Please consider it and at least show up to the first practice to check it out! Call Barb Dreyer at 359-1906 for questions or concerns.
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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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OKTOBERFEST COMING UP ON OCTOBER 1!!
Where? St. John's
What? a genuine Oktoberfest with real German food, bier, polka, games, bounce houses, and lots of fun!!
When? 4-10pm on October 1
What is needed? There are a lot of supplies and volunteers that are needed to make this happen! Call or text Kelsey @ 573-803-7826 to volunteer or to find out what is still needed.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
SAINTS JOACHIM AND ANN FOOD PANTRY NEEDS
The Saints Joachim and Ann Food Pantry, which serves many of our families in crisis in Warren, Lincoln, and St. Charles Counties, is in need of the following items. Please bring them to pastor's office and Barb Hargrove will collect them to bring them to the pantry.
Canned meats
Jelly
Condiments
Toilet paper
Kleenex
Pancake syrup
Peanut butter
Shampoo
Conditioner
Manwich
Condensed milk
Tomato paste
Tomato sauce
Spaghetti sauce
Granola bars
Peanut butter crackers
Finger food snacks
______________________________________________________________________________
UPDATE ON DCE FUND AND OFFERINGS
As of last week there is enough money to pay Kelsey through December plus $9,542.68 for 2017.
Our offerings have increased by 6,800 from last year.
We are gaining ground but have a long way to go.
Please remember that the voters approve a budget at our November meeting. We need to continue to see a significant increase in offerings in order to do the ministries here! In the words of Rich Boeger, "I know we have the money to do everything we need to do. We all need to pray, think about where we can make sacrifices, and give!"
_____________________________________________________________________________________
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.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
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.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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!
__________________________________________________________________________________
GENERAL PRAYER
For KATHY FISCHER who is having a sent put in her heart today.
For JOYCE PIETZSCHKE as she is recovering from pneumonia and intestinal issues. She Is now in Parklane Rehab in Wentzville.
For PAUL TOEDEBUSCH who is recovering from a severe kidney infection in the hospital.
For THE THOUSANDS IN LOUISIANA DEALING WITH FLOODING AND THE THOUSANDS IN CALIFORNIA DEALING WITH FIRES.
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.
For BOB RUHL, who is recovering from heart surgery and infections at New Florence Care Center for the next month.
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.
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Daily Email: Monday, August 29, 2016
DEVOTION: (This is the only daily email for this week as I am going down to Baton Rouge tomorrow. So I am going to include all four readings from our weekly lectionary in this one devotion. Please read through all the readings throughout the week!)
Psalm 1 (ESV) Book One: "The Way of the Righteous and the Wicked"
Deuteronomy 30:15-20 (ESV)
15 "See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. 16 If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God[a] that I command you today, by loving the Lord your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules,[b] then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. 17 But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away to worship other gods and serve them, 18 I declare to you today, that you shall surely perish. You shall not live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to enter and possess. 19 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, 20 loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them."
Philemon (ESV)
"Greeting"
1 Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,
To Philemon our beloved fellow worker 2 and Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier, and the church in your house:
3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
"Philemon's Love and Faith"
4 I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, 5 because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, 6 and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.[a] 7 For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.
"Paul's Plea for Onesimus"
8 Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, 9 yet for love's sake I prefer to appeal to you—I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus— 10 I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus,[b] whose father I became in my imprisonment. 11 (Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.) 12 I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart. 13 I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel, 14 but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord. 15 For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, 16 no longer as a bondservant[c] but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
17 So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me. 18 If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. 19 I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it—to say nothing of your owing me even your own self. 20 Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.
21 Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. 22 At the same time, prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that through your prayers I will be graciously given to you.]
"Final Greetings"
23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you, 24 and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.
25 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Luke 14:25-35 (ESV)
"The Cost of Discipleship"
25 Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, 26 "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.' 31 Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. 33 So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.
"Salt Without Taste Is Worthless"
34 "Salt is good, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? 35 It is of no use either for the soil or for the manure pile. It is thrown away. He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
The line between right and wrong has been clearly defined by God. Anything that is not his will is bad, and anything that is his will is good. It is us humans who blur the lines, who call things good that aren't and call things bad that God calls good.
There's an old country song by Joe Diffie. The chorus of the song goes "You've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything." I like that chorus, because it is so true. The only problem is that you must stand for the truth! Anything else is nothing but shifting quicksand.
My friends, we are called to "speak the truth in love"! Jesus calls himself, "the way, the TRUTH, and the life." He tells us that "you will know the TRUTH and the TRUTH will set you free."
There is an absolute truth and it is Jesus! There is an absolute truth and it is God's Word. It's not something we just make up as we go depending on our feelings or what we think. Truth is not relative. It is absolute! Stand for the truth today! Stand up, STAND UP for Jesus!
Prayer: Lord, make us bold! Make us strong! Make us to stand up for Your truth! Amen.
Have a great and blessed week everyone!
Psalm 1 (ESV) Book One: "The Way of the Righteous and the Wicked"
1 Blessed is the man[a]
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
2 but his delight is in the law[b] of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
3 He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.
4 The wicked are not so,
but are like chaff that the wind drives away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
6 for the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.
Deuteronomy 30:15-20 (ESV)
15 "See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. 16 If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God[a] that I command you today, by loving the Lord your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules,[b] then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. 17 But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away to worship other gods and serve them, 18 I declare to you today, that you shall surely perish. You shall not live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to enter and possess. 19 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, 20 loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them."
Philemon (ESV)
"Greeting"
1 Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,
To Philemon our beloved fellow worker 2 and Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier, and the church in your house:
3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
"Philemon's Love and Faith"
4 I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, 5 because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, 6 and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.[a] 7 For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.
"Paul's Plea for Onesimus"
8 Accordingly, though I am bold enough in Christ to command you to do what is required, 9 yet for love's sake I prefer to appeal to you—I, Paul, an old man and now a prisoner also for Christ Jesus— 10 I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus,[b] whose father I became in my imprisonment. 11 (Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.) 12 I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart. 13 I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel, 14 but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord. 15 For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, 16 no longer as a bondservant[c] but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
17 So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me. 18 If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account. 19 I, Paul, write this with my own hand: I will repay it—to say nothing of your owing me even your own self. 20 Yes, brother, I want some benefit from you in the Lord. Refresh my heart in Christ.
21 Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. 22 At the same time, prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that through your prayers I will be graciously given to you.]
"Final Greetings"
23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you, 24 and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers.
25 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Luke 14:25-35 (ESV)
"The Cost of Discipleship"
25 Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, 26 "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.' 31 Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. 33 So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.
"Salt Without Taste Is Worthless"
34 "Salt is good, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? 35 It is of no use either for the soil or for the manure pile. It is thrown away. He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
The line between right and wrong has been clearly defined by God. Anything that is not his will is bad, and anything that is his will is good. It is us humans who blur the lines, who call things good that aren't and call things bad that God calls good.
There's an old country song by Joe Diffie. The chorus of the song goes "You've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything." I like that chorus, because it is so true. The only problem is that you must stand for the truth! Anything else is nothing but shifting quicksand.
My friends, we are called to "speak the truth in love"! Jesus calls himself, "the way, the TRUTH, and the life." He tells us that "you will know the TRUTH and the TRUTH will set you free."
There is an absolute truth and it is Jesus! There is an absolute truth and it is God's Word. It's not something we just make up as we go depending on our feelings or what we think. Truth is not relative. It is absolute! Stand for the truth today! Stand up, STAND UP for Jesus!
Prayer: Lord, make us bold! Make us strong! Make us to stand up for Your truth! Amen.
Have a great and blessed week everyone!
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CALENDAR
Mon- Building Committee and Building Finance Committee Meetings 7pm; Holy Yoga 7pm
(Tues- Fri- Pastor gone to Baton Rouge)
Tues- Quilting 9-2
Wed- CHOIR STARTS 7pm
Thurs- Alzheimers Support Group 1pm; No Lutheranism 101
Sat- Worship 5pm
Sun- Worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; Chapel 11
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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS COMING WEEKEND:
Acolyte- 8:30- Sarah Cluver 11- Alaina Heitgerd
Ushers- Brett Nordwald, Charlie Figura, Jason Figura, Erv Yoder
Altar- Set up- Ruth Walters; Clean Up- Terry McKenzie
Elders- Sat- Steve Robine; 8:30- John Hachtel; 11- Randy Sweet
Greeters- 8:30- Erv Yoder; 11- Marv and Molly Hendershot
Lay Readers- Sat- Steve Robine 8:30- Erv Yoder; 11- Randy Sweet
Piano- Sat- Barb Dreyer
Organist- Rachel Fisher
Projectionists: Sat- Fischer; 8:30- Schaumberg
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TODAY'S QUIZ: Who wrote the book of Lamentations?
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NEWS!!!!
BUILDING COMMITTEE AND BUILDING FINANCE COMMITTEE ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING TONIGHT AT 7PM!!!
We have accepted the Master Plan for the building program, now what?
We need to properly staff the Building and Finance Committees. Here are some of the expectations and tasks these committee members will be responsible for.
Building Committee requirements:
· Good communication and listening skills, ability to be the liaison between the building process and other St. John's members.
· Understanding of project management, (not necessarily construction experience), but have the ability to understand all phases and processes needed to complete building project.
· First task will be research, evaluation and selection of the architect for the building project.
· Much of the task will be less about solving the specific problems of construction, but rather communication with others in the church so concerns / ideas are explored and information is shared.
· Require 1 to 2 year time commitment and 100% attendance at meetings
We are looking for 4 to 6 members to serve.
Finance committee requirements:
· Good communication and listening skills, ability to be the liaison between the finance / fund raising process and St. John's` members.
· Working knowledge of finance, accounting, or banking is a great plus.
· Task will include working with fund raising campaign, working with concerns of congregation as well as making sure building project stays on budget.
· Require 1 to 2 year time commitment, 100% attendance at meetings
We are looking for 2 to 4 members to serve.
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CHOIR PRACTICE BEGINS THIS WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31 AT 7PM!!
Anyone high school age or older is welcome!!! They need more singers. Please consider it and at least show up to the first practice to check it out! Call Barb Dreyer at 359-1906 for questions or concerns.
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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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OKTOBERFEST COMING UP ON OCTOBER 1!!
Where? St. John's
What? a genuine Oktoberfest with real German food, bier, polka, games, bounce houses, and lots of fun!!
When? 4-10pm on October 1
What is needed? There are a lot of supplies and volunteers that are needed to make this happen! Call or text Kelsey @ 573-803-7826 to volunteer or to find out what is still needed.
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SAINTS JOACHIM AND ANN FOOD PANTRY NEEDS
The Saints Joachim and Ann Food Pantry, which serves many of our families in crisis in Warren, Lincoln, and St. Charles Counties, is in need of the following items. Please bring them to pastor's office and Barb Hargrove will collect them to bring them to the pantry.
Canned meats
Jelly
Condiments
Toilet paper
Kleenex
Pancake syrup
Peanut butter
Shampoo
Conditioner
Manwich
Condensed milk
Tomato paste
Tomato sauce
Spaghetti sauce
Granola bars
Peanut butter crackers
Finger food snacks
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UPDATE ON DCE FUND AND OFFERINGS
As of last week there is enough money to pay Kelsey through December plus $9,542.68 for 2017.
Our offerings have increased by 6,800 from last year.
We are gaining ground but have a long way to go.
Please remember that the voters approve a budget at our November meeting. We need to continue to see a significant increase in offerings in order to do the ministries here! In the words of Rich Boeger, "I know we have the money to do everything we need to do. We all need to pray, think about where we can make sacrifices, and give!"
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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 JOYCE PIETZSCHKE as she is recovering from pneumonia and intestinal issues. She Is now in Parklane Rehab in Wentzville.
For PAUL TOEDEBUSCH who is recovering from a severe kidney infection in the hospital.
For THE THOUSANDS IN LOUISIANA DEALING WITH FLOODING AND THE THOUSANDS IN CALIFORNIA DEALING WITH FIRES.
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.
For BOB RUHL, who is recovering from heart surgery and infections at New Florence Care Center for the next month.
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.
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