DEVOTION: John 14:15-21 English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit
15 "If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper,[a] to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be[b] in you.
18 "I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him."
One of the greatest comforts I have is that the Holy Spirit is with me wherever I go. It's actually THE greatest comfort of a pastor, because he knows that as long as he is speaking in the name of Jesus and preaching and teaching God's Word, he can't lose. The results do not depend on him. A preacher/pastor cannot change the heart. Only the Holy Spirit, working through His Word, can do that.
The biggest and best thing that a pastor can do is bring God's Word of law, the will of God and our inability to do it, and the gospel, the good news that Jesus has done it all for us and suffered and died in our place; and then get out of the way. Let the Word do the work.
The more the pastor relies on his own skills, abilities, good looks, etc. and the more the church relies on that pastor's good looks and abilities, the more doomed they are. The pastor is not the savior fo the church, the Lord God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, is its Savior!
The same holds true for you as an individual. You are not your own Savior. Jesus is your Savior. The more you rely on yourself, the more you will be disappointed, depressed and lost. The more you rely on Jesus as your Savior from sin and the Holy Spirit as your guide, the more free you will become and the more peace you will have. May you learn to rely more and more on Jesus and be filled with His peace!
Prayer: Lord, help us to rely on you and get out of your way. Amen.
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CALENDAR:
Thurs- Newsletter deadline; Karate 6:15-7:45; Lutheranism 101 6:30
Fri- Bible Study at Hendershot's house 7pm
Sat- Men's Breakfast 8am; Worship 5pm
Sun- Worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; VOTER'S MEETING 9:45; Worship 11am; Marilyn's retirement Luncheon NOON
______________________________________________________________________WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS WEEK:
Acolyte- 8:30- Sarah Cluver; 11- Cameron Faerber
Ushers- Larry Schulze, Scott Schulze, Gary Scott, Dave Winter
Altar- Set up- Lucille Luebke; Clean Up- Pam Linke
Elders- Sat- Charlie Figura; 8:30- Al Benton, 11- Randy Fischer
Greeters- 8:30- Al and Karen Benton; 11- Marv and Molly Hendershot
Lay Readers- Sat- Sandra Perricone; 8:30- Karen Benton; 11- Lisa Lacy
Organist- Rachel Fisher
Sat Pianist- Molly Hendershot
Projectionists: Sat- Perricone, 8:30- Yoder; 11- Masters
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ :
What does the word "Ecclesiastes" mean? It means preacher or one who speaks out in the congregation
The word "ecclesia" is another word for clergy or church stuff. It can also mean teacher.
Thanks Sandy and Don!!
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TODAY'S QUIZ: Find a verse in Proverbs that is a father speaking to his son.
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NEWS!!!!
MEN'S BREAKFAST IS THIS SATURDAY AT 8AM!!!!
Come for the food! Stay for the Bible Study!
PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU ARE COMING OR NOT, ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVEN"T BEEN THERE FOR A WHILE OR HAVE NEVER BEEN!
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MARILYN FOSTER'S RETIREMENT LUNCHEON IS THIS SUNDAY, MAY 21 AT NOON!
Let's shower her with gift cards and money to show our appreciation and send her into retirement with our love!
We will have fried chicken and cake, and we are asking each family to bring either a side dish or salad. Cake will be provided as well.
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VOTER'S MEETING THIS SUNDAY AT 9:45
All confirmed members of St. John's 18 years old and up are voting members of St. John's! Be there!!
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QUILT DRAWING IS THIS SUNDAY DURING THE VOTER'S MEETING!
There's still time to get your tickets! Call 456-2888 to get them today!
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ARMED FORCES SUNDAY DOOR OFFERING WILL BE ON MAY 20 and 21!!
We will be a collecting a door offering to provide for Bible sticks for our soldiers. Most armed forces personnel can't take their phone or computers with them when they are deployed and paper Bibles are too inconvenient. Bible sticks are just the right size and can fit easily into a pocket and carried wherever they go. Each Bible stick cost $25 to make and to ship. There have been over 800,000 of these Bible sticks given to soldiers since it began and thousands of more ready to ship. They just need the funds to get them out the door.
Here's one testimony from a soldier. "I am coming back into the arms of the Father who has never forsaken me. This mp3 Bible came right on time, because I have been contemplating suicide."
Please make a note for yourself to bring some money for this very worthy ministry next weekend!!!
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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 MAY IS CANNED FRUIT!!
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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!!
PRAYERS:
For LOIS BOEGER'S MOM, EVELYN TOEDEBUSCH, as she has been moved to Breeze Park for more extensive and round the clock care.
For PAT MANNESS as she will be undergoing extensive surgery and rehab on her hand next Friday, May 26.
For the SWEET FAMILY as they mourn the loss of Patty's mom.
For a FRIEND OF AL AND KAREN BENTON who is dealing with brain cancer.
For HUNDREDS OF OUR FAMILIES AND FRIENDS WHO ARE DEALING WITH THE EFFECTS OF THE FLOOD.
For THE PEOPLE IN UGANDA who are beginning to die from starvation due to drought and famine.
For CAROL BRAZEE recovering from sinus surgery at home.
For KEN FOSTER recovering from back surgery at home.
For PAT KING, as she is recovering from knee replacement surgery at home.
For MARILYN FOSTER as she prepares for her retirement.
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.
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