DEVOTION: Isaiah 55:1-5 English Standard Version (ESV)
The Compassion of the Lord
55 "Come, everyone who thirsts,
come to the waters;
and he who has no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without price.
2 Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,
and your labor for that which does not satisfy?
Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good,
and delight yourselves in rich food.
3 Incline your ear, and come to me;
hear, that your soul may live;
and I will make with you an everlasting covenant,
my steadfast, sure love for David.
4 Behold, I made him a witness to the peoples,
a leader and commander for the peoples.
5 Behold, you shall call a nation that you do not know,
and a nation that did not know you shall run to you,
because of the Lord your God, and of the Holy One of Israel,
for he has glorified you.
In Matthew 11:28, Jesus says the same thing that God, through Isaiah, says in these verses. Jesus says, "Come to me all you who labor and are burdened and I will give you rest."
The devil would have us believe the lie that everything else will bring peace and rest, and so many people, even Christians, believe it. Even pastors believe the lie sometimes. We think that entertainment, or toys, or alcohol, or money, or drugs, or moving up the ladder of success, or whatever is going to provide rest. Yet, even the person with the most money is still searching and working for more.
When you go to Jesus you get the epitome of everything. You get enough. There's no need to search or work for "more" , because Jesus is all in all. He is the alpha and omega. He is the first and the last. He is, was, and is to come!
As a pastor, my heart breaks when people begin to drift away from the Lord. It doesn't happen all at once. It happens over months of neglecting the Word of God. It comes over years of excuses as to why a person hasn't been around or hasn't had devotions, or opened a Bible. My heart breaks, but even more, God's heart breaks. ALL HE WANTS IS FOR YOU TO COME TO HIM, TO EAT AND DRINK OF HIM, AND TO REST IN HIM!!
Prayer: Direct my heart to come to you, Lord Jesus, that I may find real rest. Amen.
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CALENDAR:
Tues- Quilting 9-2
Wed- Painting the fence at Turning Point 4-7
Thurs- Alzheimer's Support Group 1pm; Red Cross Blood Drive 3-7; Karate 6:15-7:45
Sat- Painting the Fence at Turning Point 9-Noon; Worship 5pm
Sun Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school and Bible Class 9:45
Sat-
________________________________________________________________WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS WEEK:
Acolyte- 8:30- Savannah Masters; 11- Lydia Miller
Ushers- Dave Callies, Marv Hendershot, Don Luebke, Don Nolte
Altar- Set up- Marilyn Foster; Clean Up- Terry McKenzie
Elders- Sat- Steve Robine; Sun 8:30- John Hachtel; 11- Charlie Figura
Greeters- 8:30- Rich and Peggy Talbert; 11- Mike and Naomi Johnson
Lay Reader- Sat- Judy Koprowski; Sun, 8:30- Jim Rahn 11- Dawn Sherman
Organist- Barb Dreyer
Pianists- Sat- Molly Hendershot Sun, 11- Molly Hendershot
Projectionist: Sat- Fischer 8:30- Schaumberg 11- Masters
TELLERS: Team #1 this coming Sunday. (This is a change from what is on the calendar.)
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ : Was Jeremiah able to get married and have kids?
From Don Nolte: The Lord got word to Jeremiah in Jeremiah 16:2 not to marry or have children. In verses following he told Jeremiah the children born in that region would all die either of disease, famine or be slaughtered. Their bodies would not be buried and birds would eat them.
From Doug Herzog: Jeremiah was forbidden to marry and have children.
His prayer of confidence
Lord, you are my strength and fortress,
my refuge in the day of trouble!
Nations from around the world
will come to you and say,
"Our ancestors left us a foolish heritage,
for they worshiped worthless idols.
Can people make their own gods?
These are not real gods at all!"
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TODAY'S QUIZ: Who was Topheth?
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NEWS!!!!
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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HEY EVERYONE~~~ PAINITNG THE FENCE AT TURNING POINT WEDNESDAY 4-7pm and SATURDAY, 9-NOON
I'll provide supper for everyone who shows up on Wednesday and lunch for everyone who shows up on Saturday. All you need to bring is yourself! Please reply to let me know if you are coming and when! If you have two hands and two arms, you can do this!
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RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE THIS THURSDAY, AUGUST 3, 4-7pm!!!
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.
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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. Call MARILYN FOSTER AT 636-359-0535 or email her at mkfoster@centurytel.net to reserve your tickets!
OPERATION BACKPACK ITEMS COLLECTED FOR THE MONTH OF JULY IS INDIVIDUALLY WRAPPED SNACKS AND PACKETS OF OATMEAL !
GENERAL PRAYERS:
For PAT KING'S NEPHEW, as he will be receiving a pacemaker today.
For GEORGE HOELSCHER as he found out that he has lymphoma last Monday. He will begin intensive therapy soon.
For LOIS FRICK as she has been moved to St. Joseph Hospital in Lake St. Louis for rehab.
For LIL WINTER as she recovers from diverticulitis and a liver infection.
For CAL TAMELER as he awaits much needed surgery on his legs. Surgery is scheduled for August 8.
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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.
