REVISED: I forgot to include the choir info on the calendar and in the news!
DEVOTION: Isaiah 44:6-8 English Standard Version (ESV)
Besides Me There Is No God
6 Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel
and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts:
"I am the first and I am the last;
besides me there is no god.
7 Who is like me? Let him proclaim it.
Let him declare and set it before me,
since I appointed an ancient people.
Let them declare what is to come, and what will happen.
8 Fear not, nor be afraid;
have I not told you from of old and declared it?
And you are my witnesses!
Is there a God besides me?
There is no Rock; I know not any."
It's pretty clear isn't it? If we are to believe that the Bible is true and that God's Word is a real thing, then we have to take it for what it says, or better yet, take God for who He is. He says who he is! He says that there is no God but Him. He declares it. He makes it known. Who are we to tell him who he is, or to declare what he is or isn't?
Yet, that's what people do, isn't it? People think that God is real, because they believe in him. In fact, they think that way about everything. The truth is, people, that stuff isn't true because you believe it. You believe it, because it's true. In other words, just because you believe it doesn't mean it's true. It's not your belief or affirmation of something that makes it true. It is true all by itself.
God doesn't need you to believe in Him for Him to be the real, true, and only God. He wants you to believe in Him, because it is good for you to believe in Him, and because it is the TRUTH!
In the same way, God doesn't need you to believe and trust in His Word, as it is found in the Scriptures, for it to be true. It is true all by itself. Jesus prayed to the Father saying, "Sanctify them (make them holy) by the truth. Your Word IS TRUTH." I am praying that everyone, including me, can get this through our thick skulls today, and live like God and His Word are real and true, BECAUSE THEY ARE!!!
Prayer: Lord, sanctify me by Your truth. Your Word is TRUTH! Amen.
_______________________________________________________________________
CALENDAR:
Tues- Little Lamb's Summer Camp 8:30-11:30; Council meeting 7pm
Wed- Little Lamb's Summer Camp 8:30-11:30; Pillowcase Dress Sewing 9:30- Noon; Ladies Aid Luncheon at Denny's 12pm; CHOIR PRACTICE 7pm
Thurs- Little Lamb's Summer Camp 8:30-11:30; Karate 6:15-7:45; Grief Support Group 7pm
Fri- Little Lamb's Summer Camp 8:30-11:30
Sat- Men's Breakfast 8am; Fence Painting at Turning Point 9am; Worship 5pm
Sun- Worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; Worship 11am
________________________________________________________________WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS WEEK:
Acolyte- 8:30- Loren Howard; 11- Gus Klaustermeier
Ushers- Allan Dreyer, Lew Feldkamp, Kent Jacobsmeyer, Paul Klover
Altar- Set up- Ruth Walters; Clean Up- Cheryl Bettlach
Elders- Sat- Randy Fischer; 8:30- Don Turnure 11- Dave Winter
Greeters- 8:30- Don and Donna Sherman; 11- Charlie and Lynn Figura
Lay Readers- Sat- Steve Robine??; 8:30- Jacob Nagel; 11- ????
Organist- Rachel Fisher
Sat Pianist- Molly Hendershot
Projectionists: Sat- Toni Mauch, 8:30- Terry McKenzie 11- Dawn Sherman
________________________________________________________________
TODAY'S QUIZ : In Isaiah 51:7 it says, "Hear me, you know what is right; you people who have my law in your hearts."
What does God, speaking through Isaiah, mean when he says this?
(I'll leave this up one more day for someone to answer.)
________________________________________________________
NEWS!!!!
OUR FIRST FIFTH SUNDAY CELEBRATION DAY IS COMING UP ON SUNDAY, JULY 30!
Here's the schedule:
(No worship on Saturday)
Sunday:
Sunday school and Bible Class 9am
Worship 10am
Festivities, Activities, and Potluck 11am-1pm
All are asked to bring either a side dish or salad to share for the potluck.
Be ready to meet some new brothers and sisters in Christ!!
____________________________________________________________________
CHOIR IS PRACTICING THIS WEDNESDAY AND NEXT THURSDAY AT 7PM TO SIGN AT OUR SPECIAL 5TH SUNDAY SERVICE!
Choir will practice Wednesday , July 19th and Thursday, July 27th at 7 pm to prepare to sing on July 30th. Everyone is welcome to sing with us!! Easy music!!
_________________________________________________________
ALEC AND RACHEL FISHER'S LAST SUNDAY WITH US WILL BE JULY 30!!
Alec Fisher (the guy who preached while I was on vacation) has received a call to be a pastor in Maryland, therefore Rachel Fisher's (our organist) last Sunday to play organ and violin for us will be July 30. We would like to thank them both for their service to St. John's these past two years with cards and gifts on that day. Please consider bringing a gift to the 5th Sunday celebration on Sunday, July 30 at 11am to show them your appreciation! They, along with their beautiful children, will both be greatly missed.
____________________________________________________________________________
GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP THURSDAY AT 7PM!
This group is for anyone and everyone experiencing grief, whether it be a new grief or one that has been lingering for weeks, month, or years. We'd love for you to come and share and find peace in the mutual consolation and prayer of fellow grievers.
We'll meet in the overflow.
________________________________________________________________
LADIES AID LUNCHEON THIS WEDNESDAY AT DENNY'S AT NOON!
Come and join them ladies!!
PILLOW CASE DRESS SEWING FOR AFRICA THIS WEDNESDAY 9:30-NOON!
Come and help even if you don't know how to sew!! It's a very fun time!!
_____________________________________________________________________
TRAVELING FELLOWSHIP GROUP TRIP COMING UP!!! GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY!
The next trip will be to Westport Playhouse on Sunday, Sept 17 for "Church Basement Ladies" a comedy take off on the Lutheran ladies in the kitchen. Men would enjoy also. We would leave at 12:30 p.m. from church and return apx 6:45 p.m. Getting tickets at 1/2 price each ticket $25 plus bus cost & dinner. They are holding 47 tickets for me this week.
LITTLE LAMS ENROLLMENTS IS FILLED UP!
Parents can still call and get their child's name on a waiting list if they wish, and each child will be taken on a first come first serve basis at the teacher's discretion.
CHILD EVANGELISM FELLOWSHIP IS CANCELED
Due to very low attendance (no one showed up last night), The good news club scheduled for this week has been canceled.
There are two others going on throughout the week. One is right behind the library from 11:30-1, and the other is in Paddock Fields subdivision from 2:30-4. Check them out if you are interested. They're really fun and cool even though it's hot.
_______________________________________________________________________
ANNUAL RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE AT ST. JOHN'S COMING UP THURSDAY, AUGUST 3!!!
Volunteers are needed to set up and take down before and after and during the drive to sign people in when they come. Call Terry at 456-2888 to sign up! You can make an appointment to donate at redcross.org. Walk ins are always welcome too.
______________________________________________________________________
THE PREGNANCY OPTIONS CENTER OF WARREN COUNTY IS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATION FOR THE FULL/PART TIME EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR!!
Go to www.pocofwarrenco.org to learn more!
The Pregnancy Options Center of Warren County is seeking a part-time professional to serve as its Executive Director, providing leadership and overall management of this new nonprofit organization. As an ambassador of Christ, the Executive Director is responsible for ensuring the effective operation of the pregnancy center, including overseeing administration, staffing, programming, services, fundraising, marketing, media relations and community outreach. It will expand into a full-time exempt position as the center is established and grows over time. Qualified candidates may request a detailed job description and/or send a cover letter/resume to pocofwarrencounty@gmail.com. Application Deadline: 7/21/2017
OPERATION BACKPACK ITEMS COLLECTED FOR THE MONTH OF JULY IS INDIVIDUALLY WRAPPED SNACKS AND PACKETS OF OATMEAL !!
AGAPE DONATIONS ALWAYS ACCEPTED!!
Any nonperishable food items, diapers, toiletries, etc.!!
Perishable food items can be taken directly to Agape at 713 Powell St. in Warrenton. Call 456-4645 to find out when they're open or for more info.
___________________________________________________________________
PRAYERS:
For FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF BILL SHOEMAKE, brother of Chrissy Groeber, who passed away last night. Visitation and funeral arrangements are pending.
For CAL TAMELER as he awaits much needed surgery on his legs. Surgery is scheduled for August 8.
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.
