DEVOTION: Romans 13:1-10 English Standard Version (ESV)
Submission to the Authorities
13 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 7 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.
Fulfilling the Law Through Love
8 Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet," and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
I love this passage, because it speaks to many of the current struggles in our society so much. If you do what is right and love others you will be free from guilt. You may not always be treated the way you should, but at least you won't have to have that fear of shame and guilt. You won't be constantly looking over your shoulder waiting for someone to catch you and convict you.
It's very simple, all the commandments can be summed up in two sentences. Commandments 1-3 can be summed up with, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength." Commandments 4-10 can be summed up with, "Love your neighbor as yourself." It's that simple.
If you love God, you won't have any other gods, you won't use God's name wrongly, and you will be in worship.
If you love your parents and authorities you will do what they say as long as what they say isn't against God's will. If you love your spouse, you will be committed to him/her as long as you both shall live. If you love your neighbor, you won't try to harm him/her in his/her body, you won't try to get what is theirs, you won't talk about them in a wrong way, and you won't covet what is rightly theirs.
Very simple, right? Yet, we aren't perfect and so we break the commandments. After the breaking of these commandments and the guilt that comes with it, we have the greatest opportunity for love as we forgive if we were the one sinned against, and ask for forgiveness if we were the one who sinned. Hard to do, but when you do it you will have the greatest satisfaction and peace that God can give.
I encourage you to love everyone today! Love your enemies! Love your neighbors! You're your family! Love God!
Prayer: Lord help me to love the way you want me to love. Amen.
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CALENDAR:
Wed- Stephen Ministry 6; Choir 7
Thurs- Alzheimers Support Group 1pm; Karate 6:15-7:45; Lutheranism 101 6:30
Sat- Work day 8-Noon; Stephen Ministry 9-Noon; Holy Yoga 10-11; Worship 5pm
Sun Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45; GOLF OUTING 12:30-5pm
Sat-
WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS WEEK:
Acolyte- 8:30- Addie Hoelscher; 11- Gus Klaustermeier
Ushers- Larry Schulze, Scott Schulze, Gary Scott, Dave Winter
Altar- Set up- Jodi Baldwin; Clean Up- Joanne Hachtel
Elders- Sat- Dave Winter; Sun- 8:30- Jason Cluver; 11- Charlie Figura
Greeters- 8:30- Al and Karen Benton; 11- Charlie and Lynn Figura
Lay Reader- Sat- Marcia Sevier; 8:30- Jennifer Figura, 11- Lisa Lacy
Organist and Pianist- Pat Golden
Projectionist: Sat- Perricone; Sun, 8:30- Yoder 11- ???
TELLERS: Team #2
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ :
What four chapters in Ezekiel contain his vision of the great temple? Chapters 40-43 (Thanks Don)
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TODAY'S QUIZ: Who was Zadok?
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NEWS!!!!
WORK DAY THIS SATURDAY, 8-Noon.
Several projects need to be done and the more helpers we have, the quicker they will get done. I'll bring the donuts and make the coffee!!
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HOLY YOGA 10-11am THIS SATURDAY!!
Come and strengthen your body and your soul at the same time. Amanda Nordwald is a great teacher and leader and will make you feel right at home on a Yoga mat! Experience doesn't matter. Just have an open mind and do what you can!
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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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DOOR OFFERINGS THE NEXT THREE WEEKENDS TO HELP THE VICTIMS OF HURRICANE HARVEY!
Lutheran Trust of St. Louis will match all offerings 100% up to $10,000 per congregation and $1,000,000 total through September 24.
If you bring a check, make it out to St. John's and in the mem write "Hurricane Relief". All offerings will go to LCMS Disaster Relief. This is the best way to help!
If, for some reason, you can't make it to church or would like to donate directly, go to www.lcms.org/harvey to donate and let us know that you did.
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NEW OUTREACH BOOKLET DISPLAY AT CHURCH
Our board of outreach and evangelism purchased a set of outreach booklets on all different topics of interest. They are for you to use for yourself, but also to take to friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors who may be dealing with the things covered in these booklets or may just have questions regarding to the faith. Please check it out and as it says, TAKE ONE…. OR TWO OR THREE!
LAY READERS STILL NEEDED ESPECIALLY FOR 11AM SERVICE!!!
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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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 SEPTEMBER CANNED FRUIT. 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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