DEVOTION: John 1:6-8 English Standard Version (ESV)
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. 8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.
19 And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, "Who are you?" 20 He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, "I am not the Christ." 21 And they asked him, "What then? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the Prophet?" And he answered, "No." 22 So they said to him, "Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?" 23 He said, "I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, 'Make straight[a] the way of the Lord,' as the prophet Isaiah said."
24 (Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) 25 They asked him, "Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?" 26 John answered them, "I baptize with water, but among you stands one you do not know, 27 even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie." 28 These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
Every once in a while one of the preschool kids will call me Jesus. While it is quite flattering, it is also a bit misleading. I am the furthest from Jesus. I am a poor, miserable sinner. He was the perfect sinless Son of God. I only live because of his mercy and grace. It is still a good thing, because it tells me that they are hearing about Jesus from me and seeing Jesus in me. I love it, because they identify Jesus with me.
Because of the authority with which John preached, and because he was baptizing, the people were confusing him for the Old Testament prophets Elijah and Jeremiah. Some even thought him to be the Christ. He strongly told them that he wasn't the Christ, but that the Christ would come after me and be much mightier and holier that he could ever imagine. He wasn't even worthy to stoop down and untie the Christ's sandals.
It is wonderful that people would associate Christ with us. Each and every one of us Christians should be known first as a believer in Christ. It is great when little kids, who don't know any better, call you Jesus because you are always talking about him and praying to him. Yet, we must always be humble enough to point everyone back to him all the time. Everyone we know should know that we know that we are poor, miserable sinners and that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was and is the perfect, sinless, and only Messiah for us. He is the one who saved us and we have never done anything, not one little thing, to save ourselves!
Lord, thank you for giving me the opportunity to be associated with you. I am honored. Help me to always be humble enough to point to you and you alone for salvation. Amen.
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CALENDAR:
Thurs- Funeral for Ron Heitgerd at Pitman funeral home 10, luncheon at church 11; Blood Drive 3-7; Confirmation make up 6; Karate 6-7:45
Sat- Men's breakfast 8; Sunday school Christmas Program practice 9-Noon; Worship- 5pm
Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Adult Bible class and Sunday school 9:45; Stephen Ministry 9:45; Choir practice 9:45; Holy Yoga 3pm
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WORSHIP WORKERS:
Acolyte- 8:30- Savannah Masters; 11- Dulci Rahn
Ushers- Sun- Lew Feldkamp, Kent Jacobsmeyer
Altar- Sun, Set up- Cheri' Hofeldt Clean Up- Terry McKenzie
Elder- Sat- Roy Bohning; 8:30- John Hachtel; 11- Dave Winter
Greeters- 8:30- Don and Wanda Turnure; 11- Mike and Naomi Johnson
Lay Reader- Sat- Roy Bohning; 8:30- Don Nolte; 11- Ben Hoelscher
Pianist Sat- Pat Golden; Sun 11- Doug Walters
Organist- Wed- Pat Golden; Sun- Barb Dreyer
Projectionist- Sat- Fischer; 8:30- Schaumberg; 11- Vossen
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:
Who were Feliz, Festus, and Agrippa? They were all administrators of a province and each heard Paul plead his case while he was in prison. (Thanks Don!)
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TODAY'S QUIZ: When did Paul write the letter to the Colossians?
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NEWS:
OUR NEXT ADVENT DINNER IS NEXT WEDNESDAY AT 5:30! EVERYONE IS INVITED!!! INVITE YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS!!
At 6:30 we will have our Sunday school Christmas program! There'll be lots of good hymns to sing!
All in elder groups 7 and 8 are responsible for bringing either a side dish, salad or dessert! Fried chicken will be the main course for all three meals! Worship will begin at 6:30!
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SIGN UP SHEET TO BUY A POINSETTIA FOR CHRISTMAS EVE AND DAY IS ON THE COUNTER IN THE NARTHEX! COST IS $13.50
It is a wonderful way to honor the memory of someone or just someone you love!
THERE WILL BE TWO CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP SERVICES THIS YEAR AT 10am and 7pm, AND ONE CHRISTMAS DAY SERVICE AT 10am!
The two Christmas Eve services will be slightly different from each other, so if you'd like to attend them both, you're more than welcome to do so. You can never get enough Jesus at Christmas.
I'm looking forward to seeing all of you!
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NEW YEARS CELEBRATION ON NEW YEAR'S EVE MORNING!!
We will have one service on New Year's Eve with a potluck afterward! Our main dish will be sloppy joes and we'll have chips there as well. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share! Bring all your leftover cookies!! There will be a sign up sheet to let us know you're coming on the counter in the narthex, but even if you don't rsvp, please come!! We'll have plenty of food!
We're going to plan our personal "goals" for 2018!!
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THERE WILL BE NO SUNDAY SCHOOL OR ADULT BIBLE CLASS ON EITHER CHRISTMAS EVE MORNING OR NEW YEAR'S EVE MORNING!!
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LITTLE LAMBS IS SELLING CANDY BARS AND COULD USE YOUR HELP!
If you'd like to help sell a box or two of candy bars as a fundraiser for Little Lambs preschool. Let Terry or one of the preschool ladies know. They'll hook you up right quick!
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SUNDAY SCHOOL MEMORY VERSE IS: The grass withers and the flower fades, but the Word of our God will last forever!
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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 NOVEMBER IS INDIVIDUALLY WRAPPED SNACKS AND PACKETS OF OATMEAL.
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PRAYERS:
For PEGGY TALBERT who is recovering from knee replacement surgery.
For TONI MAUCH who is having hip surgery Wednesday.
For the HEITGERD FAMILY. As they mourn the loss of Donna's son Ron.
THANKSGIVING for the birth of a grandson to the Burmeisters. He was born three weeks early so is spending a few days in the NICU, but is doing well.
For our CHURCH, as we begin to make some big changes to both our governance structure and our building, and as we move forward to make disciples of all nations.
For JENNIFER RAHN, who is recovering from heart valve replacement surgery and is dealing with rheumatoid arthritis problems.
For GEORGE HOELSCHER, BUCK HAMPTON, DENISE HOOKER (betty Tameler's daughter) as they continue to deal with cancer.
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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.
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