DEVOTION: Romans 12:9-21 English Standard Version (ESV)
Marks of the True Christian
9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit,[a]serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly.[b] Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it[c] to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord."20 To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head." 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
One of my favorite verses, that I discovered about six years ago, when I was going through a very difficult time, is verse 18. Read it again. It can also read, "If possible, as much as it depends on you, be at peace with everyone."
This gave me a ton of peace, because sometimes it doesn't depend on me. Sometimes it depends on the other person, and that other person doesn't want to live at peace with me. It gives me peace, because even though I'd like to be able to do what they're supposed to do, which is forgive me for my mistakes and be reconciled to me, sometimes they just won't do it. It's no longer on my shoulders. I can rest in God's grace.
Unfortunately, as long as the earth remains fallen and sinful, there will be people who refuse to be reconciled, there will be people who would rather hold a grudge than let it go, and there will be people who will continue to judge and condemn you for what you've done or said, long after the Lord has forgiven you.
I have these things to say to all of you who may be reading this and may need reconciliation with me for whatever reason, I LOVE YOU! I FORGIVE YOU! PLEASE FORGIVE ME! Let's live together in this fallen world as brothers and sisters in Christ.
To those who need to be reconciled to someone else, GO DO IT! Go along with the Holy Spirit and ask for forgiveness, be forgiven, leave the past in the past, and move forward in peace and joy!
Prayer: Lord, help me to get up the guts to do whatever it takes to live at peace with everyone, and when it is not possible, help me to learn to live on your ultimate and total grace. Amen.
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CALENDAR:
Wed- Stephen Ministry 6-7; Choir 7-8
Thurs- No karate; Lutheranism 101 6:30???
Sat- Worship 5pm
Sun Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45
Sat-
WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS WEEK:
Acolyte- 8:30- Cierra Figura; 11- Loren Howard
Ushers- Dick Petersen, Jim Huster, Bob Linke, Tom Linke
Altar- Set up- Dave and Linda Callies; Clean Up- Sandy Robine
Elders- Sat- Al Benton; Sun- 8:30- Jason Cluver; 11- Don Turnure
Greeters- 8:30- Erv Yoder; 11- Doug and Ruth Walters
Lay Reader- Sat- Sandra Perricone; 8:30- Lois Boeger, 11- Steve Robine
Organist- Barb Dreyer
Pianists- Sat- Barb Dreyer, 11am Molly Hendershot
Projectionist: Sat- Perricone; Sun, 8:30- Yoder 11- ???
TELLERS: Team #1
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ :
What was the total number of people that Nebuchadnezzar carried into exile from Judah? 4,600 (Thanks Don!)
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TODAY'S QUIZ: Which chapter in Lamentations is an acrostic poem? (Acrostic = each stanza starts with a different letter of the Hebrew alphabet, and each verse within each stanza starts with the same letter)
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NEWS!!!!
ADULT CHOIR RESUMES TONIGHT, 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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LAY READERS STILL NEEDED!!!
If you are willing to be an integral part of worship and serve in this way, please reply to this email or call church at 456-2888! We need you!
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ALL MEMBERS OF ST. JOHN"S ARE INVITED TO KARIN KLAUSTERMEIER'S 50TH BIRTHDAY PARTY ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 6-10pm!!
PLEASE RSVP by replying to this email or texting/messaging me. 636-359-1061
It's not a surprise, because I'm no good at surprises and she always figures them out.
She would like everyone to make a donation to www.leadachild.org in lieu of gifts.
Since her favorite day of the year is April Fools Day, and she is legendary for her April Fools pranks, I would like everyone to play their favorite prank or practical joke on her that day. She will appreciate it greatly I am sure!
Besides that, there is no need to bring anything but yourself. All food and drinks will be provided.
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ANNUAL LABOR DAY FLOAT TRIP COMING NEXT MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 4!!!
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 Scott at 359-5041 or email her at tscott@usmo.com to sign up!
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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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SUNDAY SCHOOL RALLY DAY, SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 AT 9:45!!!
If you or your kids have been away from Sunday school for a while and have been meaning to get back into the swing of things, Sunday, Sept. 10 is your perfect opportunity to do so!! All kids who show up will receive FREE devotional books and/or Bibles which are paid for from a trust set up by Janet Wagner before she went to heaven.
There will be games, donuts, and lots of JESUS!! Please bring your kids, grandkids, great grandkids, neighbor's kids and yourself!! We look forward to seeing you!
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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!
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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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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".
PRAYERS:
For LISA PEZOLD, who had a hysterectomy and is recovering at home.
For those in Texas and Louisiana dealing with historic flooding and damage from hurricane Harvey.
For GEORGE HOELSCHER as he is home and doing better. He receives his second chemo treatment on Friday.
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 at home, but is still 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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