Daily Email: Tuesday, November 7, 2017

DEVOTION:  Amos 5:18-24 English Standard Version (ESV)

Let Justice Roll Down

¹⁸ Woe to you who desire the day of the Lord!
    Why would you have the day of the Lord?
It is darkness, and not light,
¹⁹     as if a man fled from a lion,
    and a bear met him,
or went into the house and leaned his hand against the wall,
    and a serpent bit him.
²⁰ Is not the day of the Lord darkness, and not light,
    and gloom with no brightness in it?

²¹ "I hate, I despise your feasts,
    and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies.
²² Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings,
    I will not accept them;
and the peace offerings of your fattened animals,
    I will not look upon them.
²³ Take away from me the noise of your songs;
    to the melody of your harps I will not listen.
²⁴ But let justice roll down like waters,
    and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.

The back story is everything here.  We need to understand that Amos is God's prophet, and that God is speaking here.  It's also important to know that the people God is speaking to do not have real faith in him.  They think that by their empty feasts, assemblies, peace offerings, and noisy songs they will save themselves.  They think that their own work somehow is going to save them.  It couldn't be further from the truth. 

                That's why God says "let justice roll DOWN like wasters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream".  Righteousness comes down from God to us!  Righteousness literally came down from heaven in Jesus!  Righteousness comes from God to us not the other way around. 

                The next time you think you are doing God a favor by waking up early to come to church, or by reading your Bible more, realize that worship, Bible study and prayer are only for your benefit.  God, the Holy Spirit, works through these things to bring you to faith and keep you in the faith.

                God is warning these people that their comfort and peace in these self righteous acts is wrong.  They are running away from a lion right into a bear's giant jaws.  Instead, true comfort, security, peace, and forgiveness flows from God to us.  It is all a gift!  Trust in God's gifts today!  Trust in God's forgiveness and stay away from ever thinking that you are doing any good on your own!  Always remember that the Holy Spirit is doing good working through you and in you and that's all it will ever be. 

 

Prayer: Lord, keep me from ever being conceited in your good work in me and through me.  Keep me humble so that I may trust in your grace alone.  Amen.

 

 

 

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CALENDAR:

Tues- Quilting 9-2

Wed- Board of outreach meeting 5pm; Stephen Ministry 6; Choir 7

Thurs- Confirmation make up 6pm; Lutheranism 101 7pm; Karate 6:15-7:45

Fri- Veteran's day

Sat- Worship- 5pm

Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school and Bible class 9:45; Elder's meeting Noon

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RSHIP WORKERS: 

Acolyte- 8:30- Loren Howard; 11- Nova Luebke

 

Ushers- Lew Feldkamp, Kent Jacobsmeyer, ???, ???

 

Altar- Set up- Lucille Luebke; Clean Up- Joanne Hachtel

 

Elder- Sat- Steve Robine; 8:30- Rich Talbert; 11-
 
Greeters- 8:30- Terry and Lynn Russell; 11- Dan and Lisa Rausch

Lay Reader- Sat- Judy Koprowski; 8:30- Jacob Nagel; 11- Addie Hoelscher

 

Pianist Sat and 8:30-- Molly Hendershot

Projectionist- Sat- Kathy Fischer??; 8:30- Erv Yoder; 11- Cierra Figura

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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:  How many people total did Jesus send out two by two into all the towns and villages he was about to go?  Today's answer comes from the other side of the ocean!  Luke 10:1 after this Lord appointed 72 others and send them to buy two ahead of them to every town in place he was about to go.

THANKS Denise! 

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TODAY'S QUIZ:  To what does Jesus compare Jerusalem as he laments over them?

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NEWS:

WE ARE STILL IN NEED OF NOMINATIONS FOR OUR CHURCH BOARDS!!!  Below is what we need:

 

Board of elders- 3 men of good standing in the church who are active: main duties include, worship and communion assistance, member care, developing of budget for salary and benefits for staff.  They usually meet on the second Sunday of each month at noon. (Dave Winter is timed out and two of our other elders have resigned this year.)

 

Board of trustees- 3 people- main duties include taking care of St. John's property and approving budget for insurance and maintenance.  They meet on the second Tuesday of each month at 7pm and have several work days (usually on Saturday morning) throughout the year.  (Teresa Scott and Gary Hoelscher are both timed out and Scott Heitgerd has transferred to Immanuel, Wentzville)

 

Board of education- 2 people needed- Main duties include planning, preparation and carrying out of Sunday school program, VBS, and other education programs.  They usually meet on an as needed basis.  (Naomi Johnson is unable to continue due to work and family responsibilities and Lisa Rausch's first term is up)  We are in desperate need of a couple people who have the time and energy available to commit to this board.

 

Secretary-  This is not the same as our office administrator, Terry;  This person is responsible for taking minutes at voter's and council meetings, and for preparing agendas for the same.  This person can also be a signer on checks and other official documents.  (Patty Sweet has decided to go to a different church)

 

If you would like to nominate someone, including yourself, or have possible suggestions, please reply to this email, or call me at 636-359-1061

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SUNDAY SCHOOL MEMORY VERSE IS: "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be satisfied."  Matthew 5:6

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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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OPERATION BACKPACK DONATIONS FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER IS CANNED VEGETABLES.  PLEASE BRING YOUR DONATIONS TO CHURCH AND PUT THEM IN THE TUB MARKED "BACKPACK BLESSINGS"!

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PRAYERS: 

For those who mourn after the tragic church shooting in Texas on Sunday. 

 

For COLTON FIGURA who left for a one year deployment to Turkey on Saturday.

 

For GEORGE HOELSCHER as his cancer is in remission for the time being.  He will undergo more tests and procedures as well as another pet scan and more chemo in the next few weeks.

 

For LILLIAN WINTER as she undergoes surgery to remove her ovaries on Friday.

 

For BUCK HAMPTON who has moved to Lincoln County Nursing and Rehab in Troy to begin receiving chemotherapy treatments.

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PRAYERS FOR OUR MILITARY PERSONNEL:

For COLTON FIGURA deployed to Turkey, SAM HARGROVE deployed in Kuwait 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, 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.