Daily Email: Wednesday, April 19, 2017

DEVOTION: 1 Peter 1:3-9  English Standard Version (ESV)

Born Again to a Living Hope

³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴ to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, ⁵ who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. ⁶ In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, ⁷ so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. ⁸ Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, ⁹ obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

 

There are two reasons you suffer trials of various kinds.  One reason is that you are a sinner, sinful from conception, and so these things are the consequences of your sin.  Be thankful that you will not suffer these consequences eternally, but that they will come to an end when you take your last earthly breath or when Jesus returns, whichever comes first. 

The other reason you suffer is so that. As Peter says in the verses above, "so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes through it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."

In order for your faith to grow, it needs to be tested.  It's just like muscles.  If your muscle doesn't undergo stress and work, it will remain small and weak.  If it is tested and strained it will grow and get stronger. 

Please understand that the Lord doesn't bring the temptations, nor does he make the bad things happen.  It was never his intention for their to be sin, suffering and death.  That's why he is coming back on the last day to restore things to the way he intended.  Instead, he uses what they devil throws at you, turning it around and making it good. 

So don't run away or cringe when you are faced with trials and temptations.  Ask God what he can and will teach you through these things, and especially ask Him to make you stronger through them and grow your faith and reliance on him!  He will bless you!

 

Prayer:  Lord, Thank you for using the trials and temptations in my life to strengthen my faith and make me stronger.  You are truly the Almighty, omniscient, and omnipresent God and I need to simply rely on you!  Amen.

 

 

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CALENDAR:

Wed- Ladies sewing dresses for Africa 9:30-noon; Choir 7

Thurs- Newsletter deadline, Pregnancy Options Center Banquet 7pm

Fri- Confirmation Questioning and reception 7pm

Sat- LWML ZONE RALLY 9am; Worship 5pm

Sun- Worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; Special Confirmation worship 11 w/ Holy Communion

______________________________________________________________________WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS WEEK:  
Acolyte- 8:30- Nova Luebke; 11- Dulci Rahn

 

Ushers- 8:30- Dave Callies, Marv. Hendershot, Don Luebke, Don Nolte

11- Charlie Figura, Jason Figura, Brett Nordwald, Erv Yoder

 

Altar- Set up- Cheri' Hofeldt; Clean Up- Cheryl Bettlach

 

Elders- Sat- Jim Rahn; 8:30- Al Benton, 10- Steve Robine
 
Greeters-  8:30- Erv Yoder; 11- Al and Karen Benton

Lay Readers- Sat- Jim Rahn; 6:30- Jacob Nagel ; 11- Lisa Lacy

 

Organist- Rachel Fisher

 

Sat Pianist- Kathy Barrow

Projectionists: 8:30- Erv Yoder; 11- Terry McKenzie (Thanks so much Terry!)
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ 

Who were the 12 military commanders of Israel who were on duty each month over 24,000 men (each took one month at a time)?

Jashobeam, Dodai, Benaiah, Asahel, Shamhuth, Ikkesh, Helez, Sibbecai, Abiezer, Maharai, Benaiah the Pirathonite, and Heldai.

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TODAY'S QUIZ: Besides David, who wrote the Psalms?

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NEWS!!!!

CONFIRMATION ACTIVITIES THIS WEEK!!

Friday- Questioning and Reception 7pm

Sunday- Reading of essays and Rite of Confirmation 11am

 

Please come to join us in celebrating the faith of these youth!

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JOB OPENING FOR OUR CHURCH SECRETARY.  RESUME DEADLINE IS SUNDAY, APRIL 30!!!

Starting salary $25,000 plus benefits including health insurance. 

 

Resumes are now being accepted.  You can email them to pastor or bring them in to pastor at his office.  Interviews will take place once all resumes are received.  The name of the person that the interview committee chooses will be brought to the voter's assembly for approval on Sunday, May 21. 

 

Please email resumes to me or bring them in to my office. 

 

Below is the Job Description

 

Please note that a lot of the work requires proficiency in several different computer programs.  Programs such as Excel, Word, Powerpoint, and several financial record keeping programs are used on a regular basis.

 

FULL TIME Church Office Administrator/Secretary Job Description

Purpose:  To serve the church by providing administrative and secretarial services to the Pastor and various committees and board.

1. Receive and screen incoming calls, taking clear messages and returning calls, if asked, of the Pastor. Many times it just requires a "compassionate listener" for members calling that just want to talk.  Many use the church office as a place to get information on other members who are ill or moved or for telephone numbers.
2. Maintain an accurate and up to date calendar of church activities and meetings.

a.      Co-ordinate all activities between church basement rentals (collecting fees with Trustee guidelines) meetings, activities, keep cleaning service informed if cleaning time interferes.

b.      Co-ordinate between Pre-school activities and church activities

3. Prepare weekly bulletins, monthly newsletters, various agendas for church council, elders, voters meetings etc, and make necessary copies.
4. Maintain communication with shut-in members. Mail weekly bulletins, "HomeTouch" devotion and activity sheets weekly. Mail monthly newsletters.
5. Pick up, sort and open mail, direct to appropriate persons in congregation, draft responses as required. Insure outgoing mail is mailed daily.

a.      Newsletters and other bulk mail is taken to post office and packaged according to postal regulations.

b.      Make sure money is kept on deposit at the post office to cover mailings and returned mail.

6. Maintain up to date and organized files and records as required.

a.      Such as membership information – mail personal letters to new members

b.      Mail letters to Memorial donors

c.       General bookkeeping for the congregation ie: co-ordinate with Financial Secretary each week to insure funds placed in proper accounts, make sure all bills are accurate and paid promptly, payroll for employees (church staff, Little Lambs) pay federal & state taxes & file tax forms, keep up to date with Concordia Plan Services on changes. File the employees Concordia Plan Retirement Fund.

d.      Financial reports for congregation

e.      Maintain records of Little Lambs expenses, paid by congregation, for monthly bill

f.        Make out W-2 & 1099 forms and file by January 31.

7. Keep in touch with the Trustees regarding items needing immediate attention.
8. Keep Pastor informed of members with health issues so that contact can be made.
9. Maintain current birthday and anniversary list for the Elders. Advise elders of new members, attendance issues, and other things necessary regarding the members in each Elder's group.
10. Co-ordinate and order Altar flowers, making sure flowers are paid from the members.
11. Enter attendance records weekly.
12. Secure volunteer help when needed, bulletins, newsletters & other projects. Keep list of those that want to volunteer.
13. Prepare monthly schedules for Greeters, Lay Readers, Acolytes, and yearly usher schedule.
14. Weekly Power Point for church news before service begins.
15. Work with Pastor and other church committees and boards as necessary in developing new ideas or special projects and in carrying out the ministry of the church.
16. Keep informed on openings in Preschool to inform parents that call wanting information on Little Lambs – take enrollment forms and fees, especially during summer months.
17. Keep office equipment in working order – order all office supplies – Altar Guild supplies – order items for boards Sunday School & Little Lambs when needed.
18. Attend Council and Voters meetings.
19. ShopwScrip ordering
20. Maintain confidentiality of all formal and informal communications you may read, have or may overhear unless specifically permitted to share with others.
21. Manage and update church website and all social media on a weekly basis
22. Prepare Powerpoint for worship when volunteer is unavailable. 
23. Church membership is not required, but if he or she is a member, he or she must be faithful in worship attendance and in stewardship of time, talents, and treasures.
24. He or she should attend Stephen Ministry training as soon as it is offered. 
25. Cooperate with pastor and others to do other nonspecific duties as needed
26. Have the same attitude as Christ- that is-take on the form of a servant in the performance of your duties at St. John's.

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LOSING TO GAIN UPDATE  10 lbs in 16 days.  I'm about two lbs. behind.  I will get back on track!  TO make my goal I have to lose 2/3 of a lb a day the rest of the way out.  I WILL MAKE IT!!

 

Between Monday, April 3 and Friday, September 1,  I plan on losing as much weight as possible and as is healthy for me to lose.  My goal, the Lord willing, is 100lbs. which averages out to about 2/3 of a pound a day.   

 

I would like all of you to consider sponsoring me with a pledge of money per pound.  It can be $100, $10, $1, .50, or whatever  per pound.  The amount is up to you.

 

You will also have your choice of three different causes to donate to. 

 

Lead a Child--  An organization that raises money for Lutheran churches and schools in third world countries so that kids can go to school, get a quality education, and learn about Jesus.  (Go to www.leadachild.org to learn more)

 

Warren County Literacy Inc.---  Helping children achieve and grow in literacy in Warren County.  Our main emphasis is the bookcase project in which bookcases and books are donated to between 60-80 children from the Youth In Need and Headstart programs in Warren County.  We also have several "Little Free Libraries"  around the county.    (Check it out on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Warren-County-Literacy-Inc-1763714847229903/?ref=bookmarks or http://www.warrencountybookcaseproject.org/

 

Warren County Pregnancy Option Center---  This will be a place where expectant mothers and fathers can go and get counseling, coaching and referrals to medical services they need so that they can keep their child or give it up for adoption.   Our first annual banquet is Thursday, April 20 at 7pm at Holy Rosary, and I still need two people to fill the table.  More info will be coming soon about a Facebook page and websites. 

 

 

Please reply to this email if you'd like to pledge, and I will record it for you! 

 

I started out at 336lbs on Monday, and I am down to 332 as of yesterday afternoon.  Please pray for me and for this endeavor!  Keep me accountable! 

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BIBLE STUDY AT HENDERSHOTS CANCELED FOR THIS FRIDAY, APRIL 21

Due to confirmation questioning being the same evening and the LWML Zone Rally the next day, the Hendershots are going to cancel their monthly Bible study and fellowship.  It will resume on Friday, May 19!

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LITTLE LAMBS ENROLLMENT FOR THE 2017-2018 SCHOOL YEAR IS OPEN!!!!

 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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OPERATION BACKPACK ITEMS COLLECTED FOR THE MONTH OF APRIL IS

Soup and Ramen Noodles.  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 PAT MANNESS, who underwent a procedure to have a heart monitor put in.  She should be going home from the hospital today.

 

For KATHY FISCHER, recovering from surgery.

 

For CAROL BRAZEE having sinus surgery next Tuesday.

 

For KEN FOSTER having back surgery next Thursday.

 

For HOLLY FAERBER, who was hospitalized this past weekend with an undiagnosed pain in her abdomen.  She is having an MRI done today. 

 

For PAT KING, as she is recovering from knee replacement surgery at home.

 

For MARILYN FOSTER as she prepares for her retirement.

 

For both RANDY AND PATTY SWEET'S MOTHERS,  Virginia, Patty's mom, has just been diagnosed with lung cancer.  Rose, Randy's mom, had a bad seizure two months ago, and although she is walking and talking fine, the seizure caused some dementia. 

 

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 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.