DEVOTION: Genesis 12:1-19 English Standard Version (ESV)
The Call of Abram
12 Now the Lord said[a] to Abram, "Go from your country[b] and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. 2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."[c]
4 So Abram went, as the Lord had told him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. 5 And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their possessions that they had gathered, and the people that they had acquired in Haran, and they set out to go to the land of Canaan. When they came to the land of Canaan, 6 Abram passed through the land to the place at Shechem, to the oak[d] of Moreh. At that time the Canaanites were in the land. 7 Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, "To your offspring I will give this land." So he built there an altar to the Lord, who had appeared to him. 8 From there he moved to the hill country on the east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. And there he built an altar to the Lord and called upon the name of the Lord. 9 And Abram journeyed on, still going toward the Negeb.
I guess that when you hear the voice of God telling you to do something, you do it, right? Abram had no choice. If God speaks to you and says go to a new land. You go. You don't ask questions. You go. You don't try to argue with God. You go. Especially when there is a promise that God will greatly bless you, you go!
Well…… not so fast. What about all those things God is telling you to do in His Word? Sure, it's not an audible voice, but it is still God's voice calling to you from the pages of Scripture, telling you to believe in Him, calling you to actions of faith, commanding you to forgive those who sin against you, commanding you to make disciples of all nations.
We all could stand to listen to God more, to heed his voice as he calls us from his holy and living Word, and to surrender to His will. Not a one of us is anywhere close to perfect in this way.
Neither was Abram. We often think of his as this great pillar of faith, but on more than one occasion we see him question god, and do things that are directly against God's directives. He wasn't perfect either.
Abram is a perfect example of God's patience, mercy, and grace toward us. He continued to care for him and bless him even when his faith faltered. He does the same with us. We fail to act in faith, but God is still faithful. Praise be to God!
Let us pray: Lord God, help me not only to hear what you say, but to listen to it. Amen.
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CALENDAR:
Tues- Quilting 9-2
Wed- Supper 5:30; Worship 6:30
Thurs- Karate 6:15; Lutheranism 101 6:30
Fri- Barb Perricone memorial visitation 10-11am; funeral 11; Luncheon to follow
Sat- Worship 5pm
Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45; Elders meeting noon
WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS COMING WEEKEND:
Acolyte- Wed- Cameron Faerber; 8:30- Addie Hoelscher 11- Cierra Figura
Ushers- Wed- Rich Boeger, Don Hance, Don Tate, Doug Walters; Sun- Alan Hofeldt, Tim Linke, Rich Talbert, Don Turnure
Altar- Wed- Don Hance; Sun set up- Cheri' Hofeldt; Clean up- Joannne Hachtel
Elders- Sat- Jim Rahn, 8:30- Roy Bohning, 11- Al Benton
Greeters- 8:30- Don and Donna Sherman; 11- Steve and Sandy Robine
Lay Readers- Sat- Jim Rahn; 8:30- Roy Bohning; 11- Karen Benton
Piano- Barb Dreyer
Organist- Wed and Sun- Rachel Fisher
Projectionists: Sat- Fischer; 8:30- Schaumberg; 11- Savannah Masters
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:
What are the tassels of remembrance for in the Old Testament?________________________________________________________________________
NEWS!!!!
CHOIR IS IN NEED OF MORE VOICES TO SING AND TO BE NARRATORS FOR THEIR CANTATA FOR PALM SUNDAY, MAUNDY THURSDAY AND GOOD FRIDAY!! Please call Barb Dreyer at 636-359-1906. They meet for practice after Wednesday worship at 7:15.
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WORSHIP CHANGES SURVEY ATTACHED
The elders have been discussing some possible changes to our worship times and days. A survey to get your thoughts about this is attached. Please note: The elders will not make any changes without approval of the voter's assembly. The reasons for the changes are all laid out in the questionnaire. Please read it and respond. You can either print it out, then fill it out, and bring it to church; or you can download it, fill it out and send it back to me via email. Thanks for your input.
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VENDORS NEEDED FOR OUR MAY 6 VENDOR FAIR AND FLEA MARKET!!
Inside vendors are $25 a table/space. Outside parking spots are $10 a piece. Donations for the youth's pavilion sale can be left in the shed or in pastor's office.
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WEDNESDAY'S DURING LENT::: SUPPER AT 5:30 WORSHIP AT 6:30
Our next Wednesday midweek service will focus on "The Art of Expecting Nothing but Good from God" and we will look specifically at the first commandment.
Menu:
Chili
Baked potatoes
Hotdogs
All the fixin's
Salad
Dessert
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YOUTH STEAK DINNER AND AUCTION IS MARCH 25!!
Tickets are sold after every worship service TICKETS ARE $25 EACH!!
Our POT O' GOLD raffle tickets will be sold starting this weekend as well.
Bring in your items for the auction! We really like new, popular items that you know will sell well!
SUPPORT THE FUTURE OF OUR CHURCH!
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FUNERAL LUNCHEON ITEMS NEEDED FOR MARCH 10!
Our Ladies Aid is providing a meal for the friends and family of Barb Perricone after her funeral next Friday, March 10. Funeral is at 11 and the luncheon will follow.
They are in need of salads, side dishes and desserts. If you'd like to bring food or help with the luncheon please email Linda Callies atlindacallies@centurylink.net.
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LITTLE LAMBS ENROLLMENT FOR THE 2017-2018 SCHOOL YEAR FOR MEMBERS AND CURRENT STUDENTS BEGINS WEDNESDAY!
March 1 for current students and St. John's members!
April 3 open to all!
Student must be 3 for younger class or 4 for older class by August 1.
$45 nonrefundable registration fee required.
Registration packets can be picked up at Little Lambs during school hours and in the church office during non-school hours.
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PREGNANCY OPTIONS CENTER FUNDRAISING BANQUET IS THURSDAY, APRIL 20!!
We need to fill up a couple tables with folks who are willing to support this ministry with their time and money. If you'd like to go to the banquet please let pastor know!! I have two seats left at my table and would like to fill up another one of I could.
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TUURNING POINT IS HOSTING A FASHION SHOW FUNDRAISER ON THURRSDAY, MARCH 30 at the QUAIL RIDGE LODGE IN WENZTVILLE!! DOORS OPEN AT 5:30!
Enjoy stylish fashions for all women, great vendors, raffles, delicious hors d'oeuvres and signature cocktails. Tickets are $35 each! Go to www.turningpointdvs.com or call 636-456-1186 to get tickets.
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VENDOR FAIR/FLEA MARKET WILL BE SATURDAY, MAY 6!!
Inside vendor areas are rented for $25 per space
Outside vendors are $10 per parking spot.
Donations for the youth groups sale under the pavilion can be left under the pavilion or in the shed.
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STEPHEN MINISTRY IS LOOKING FOR SOME NEW STEPHEN LEADERS
If you love caring for others and consider yourself a leader, this is the perfect way for you to serve the Lord and your church family!
The Stephen Leader training is April 23-29 at the Renaissance Hotel by the airport this year and the cost of the training is covered by the church. If you choose to stay at the hotel you will have to pay for that yourself. It's only a 35 minute commute to the training from Warrenton.
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OPERATION BACKPACK ITEMS COLLECTED FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH IS
Individually wrapped snack and packets of oatmeal. Place them in the receptacle marked "Backpack Blessings" in the narthex.
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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!!
GENERAL PRAYER
For HANNAH LINSTRUTH who is recovering from a broken leg due to a car accident.
For FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF ED KOHRS as he passed to eternal life yesterday morning.
For CHARLIE, a good friend of Sandy Robine, who is nearing the end of her life due to cancer.
For MARIE HARVEY, a sister in law of CHERI VERME, and a friend of the Winters, who is near death from stage 4 cancer.
For DANIELLE MEINE KRAMER, whose leukemia is back after a brief respite from it. She had it for several years while in high school. (She grew up riding Karin's school bus to school.)
For the FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF BARB PERRICONE, as they mourn her loss this week and get ready for a memorial service this Friday.
For Mim Dunn's nephew DAVID HAHN who is dealing with severe throat cancer.
For LOIS BOEGER'S MOM, EVELYN TOEDEBUSCH, who has been on hospice care for the last few months and slows down a little more every day, but is doing well.
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