DEVOTION: Matthew 16:13-20 (ESV)
Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ
13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" 14 And they said, "Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 16 Simon Peter replied, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17 And Jesus answered him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock[a] I will build my church, and the gates of hell[b] shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed[c] in heaven." 20 Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.
Some have said that this is the verse that shows that Peter should be the head of the church. It sounds like Jesus is giving him authority and making him the "rock" of the church. This couldn't be further from the truth. We'll see that Peter is far from perfect. We've already seen that. The church is never based on any regular human being. If it is, it will be found to be a false cult on the last day.
The true rock of the church is not Peter but the confession that Peter made. Notice that Jesus immediately reminds him that "flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my Father who is in heaven." Therefore God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is both the source of this statement of faith as well as the statement of faith.
Anyone who believes that salvation comes from anything having to do with man's ability or knowledge doesn't get this. It's a revelation. It's something that is given to you! Once the truth is revealed to you it is either believed or rejected. Those who are Christians simply believe it.
This belief, this faith is what the church is based and built on. It is a solid foundation. It is a rock, because it is the most certain and sure truth there is. It is the Way, the Truth, and the Life! He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Believe in Him! Trust in Him! Rely on Him! Live in Him! Live in GRACE!!
Father, thank you for making eternal life attainable through faith in Your Son, Jesus. Amen.
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CALENDAR:
Thurs- Lutheranism 101 6:30
Fri- Newsletter assembly 9am
Sat- Men's breakfast 8am; Worship 5pm
Sun Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45
Sat-
WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS WEEK:
Acolyte- 8:30- Sarah Cluver; 11- Cameron Faerber
Ushers- Alan Hofeldt, Tim Linke, Rich Talbert, Don Turnure
Altar- Set up- Marilyn Foster; Clean Up- Cheryl Bettlach
Elders- Sat- Jason Cluver; Sun- 8:30- John Hachtel; 11- Al Benton
Greeters- 8:30- Doug and Ruth Walters; 11- Joan Sexton
Lay Reader- Sat- Judy Koprowski; 8:30- Erv Yoder, 11- Roy Bohning
Organist- Ned Quest
Pianists- Sat- Kathy Barrow
Projectionist: Sat- Kathy Fischer; Sun, 8:30- Schaumberg 11- Masters
TELLERS: Team #4
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ :
According to Jeremiah 30:15, what is the reason for the exile of Israel? Because your guilt is great, because your sins are flagrant, I have done these things to you. (Thanks Don!)
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TODAY'S QUIZ: Who is the "righteous Branch" and the "The Lord Our Righteousness" that Jeremiah talks about in Jeremiah 23:5-6?
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NEWS!!!!
MEN'S BREAKFAST THIS SATURDAY at 8am!!
Pastor will be out of town at a meeting this Saturday. Please mark your calendars appropriately
biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, and sausage!!We'll continue the video study from "The Case for Christ".
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ADULT CHOIR REHEARSALS WILL RESUME WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30 AT 7PM!!!
All people high school age or older who love to sing and have fun are strongly encouraged to attend! Ability to read music is not necessary but is helpful.
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WORK DAY, SATURDAY, SEPT 9, 8-Noon.
Several projects need to be done and the more helpers we have, the quicker they will get done.
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DO YOU HAVE A THRIVENT FINANCIAL ACCOUNT OR POLICY?
You may be eligible to receive money for Little Lambs or Good Shepherd!! Go to www.thrivent.com/choicedollars to check it out!
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HAVE YOU EVER CONSIDERED BECOMING A PASTOR OR DEACONNESS?
If so, Rev. Scott Holder, admissions counselor from Concordia Seminary, will be here on Thursday, September 14 from 1-6pm. He is interested in meeting with students of all ages, elementary school age through adults. Appointments are individual, informal, and family/friends are welcome to come with you. Appointments are not necessary but encouraged. If you are interested in scheduling a specific time, call Pastor Holder at 314-505-7225 or email him at holders@csl.edu
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MORE LAY READERS NEEDED!!
As quite a few of the lay readers we have had to stop doing it for one reason or another, we are in need of a few to take their place. If you would like to serve the Lord in this way, please respond to this email with your willingness and the service you would prefer to do it in. If you have questions, email or call/text me at 636-359-1061
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LITTLE LAMBS GOLF OUTING, Sunday, Sept. 10
Registration- 12:30
Shotgun start- 1pm
Dinner and Prizes- 5pm
Cost- $60 per person
Two person scramble format
Hole Sponsorships available for $50 a piece (Think advertising)
Call Karin or Lisa at 456-2888 or pick up a registration form from the office!
ANNUAL LABOR DAY FLOAT TRIP
Place: Ozark Outdoors
Time: Meet at 9am
Canoes- $25 per person
Kayaks- $30 per person
Rafts- $31 per person (Children 7 and under free, and 7-12 are $15)
Tubes- $25 per person
Rides on Ozark busses are still $30 if you have your own equipment.
Call Teresa at 359-5041 or email her at tscott@usmo.com to sign up!
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OUR NEXT FIFTH SUNDAY CELEBRATION WILL BE ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 29… REFORMATION SUNDAY!! TO CELEBRATE THE 500TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BEGINNING OF THE REFORMATION AND THE POSTING OF THE 95 THESES BY MARTIN LUTHER ON THE CASTLE CHURCH DOOR IN WITTENBERG, GERMANY!!
It is going to be a blowout celebration! Mark your calendars today to make sure you are there to enjoy the celebration!
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OPERATION BACKPACK ITEMS COLLECTED FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST IS SOUP AND RAMEN NOODLES. Please bring items up to church and put them in the tub marked "Backpack Blessings".
GENERAL PRAYERS
For GEORGE HOELSCHER as he is doing better after getting his heart rate under control. He mayg o home today.
For CAL TAMELER who is HOME and is recovering from surgeries and a heart attack.
For LIL WINTER who is home, but is still awaiting test results and doctor's orders to get several procedures done.
For ANGIE BRUNSON, who is dealing with blood clots and an infection after a trouble from a hysterectomy.
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PRAYERS FOR OUR MILITARY PERSONNEL:
For SAM HARGROVE deployed in Amman, Jordan and DAN DREYER deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan, that the Lord would keep them safe from harm during their service and bring them home safely.
For DAVID TATE stationed in Japan, COLTON FIGURA stationed in California, and ALEX WALTERS, stationed in Tennessee. That God would bless their service to our country and keep them safe as they all await possible deployment.
For CALEB FIGURA AND VINCE MASTERS who are both serving our country in the National Guard and take time out of their lives, jobs, and families to go on duty several times a year.
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