Another way to help
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11 years ago
Another excellent way to help
Daily Email: Thursday, August 31, 2017
DEVOTION: Matthew 16:21-28 English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection
21 From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 22 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, "Far be it from you, Lord![a] This shall never happen to you." 23 But he turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance[b] to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man."
Take Up Your Cross and Follow Jesus
24 Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life[c] will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?27 For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. 28 Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom."
This is some hard and almost depressing stuff isn't it? The truth is hard to take sometimes. We want to have it our own way, not God's way. We don't want to have to sacrifice, suffer, and bear our crosses. We want to take it easy, live the easy life, and do what comes natural to our sinful nature.
Yet, the rhetorical question Jesus asks is, "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? We want comfort and freedom from pain, yet sometimes discomfort and pain is exactly what we need. I have seen thousands of people with lots of money, and very luxurious living, with everything imaginable, be the most miserable people. Solomon is a perfect example of this. Just read Ecclesiastes sometime.
The purpose of Jesus words is not to depress you, or to cause you anxiety about the life you're going to have to live as a Christian. It's to remind you that hope, love, peace, and joy is not going to be found in gaining the whole world. It isn't going to be attained by sacrificing the good things, like church and family, so you can have some sort of material success. Fulfillment and purpose is only found when you "keep" your soul with Jesus! It is only found when you strive to live in faith and in the joy of forgiveness every day. It is only found when you go after Jesus by taking up your cross and following him.
As a pastor, I can tell you that I feel no more satisfied and fulfilled than after I am done preaching God's Word on a Saturday night or Sunday morning. It is hard and I am usually spent and exhausted. I usually have to take a nap Sunday afternoon. Yet, it is such a great feeling. I can't explain it other than to say that it is the "peace that passes all understanding".
You can get that same type of fulfillment by sharing "preaching" the good news of Jesus' love and salvation to those around you. It isn't easy. In fact, I ain't gonna lie, it can be really hard and tiresome sometimes, especially when people who need to hear it aren't there or are there but aren't listening. But it is also most rewarding to know that you are speaking the very Words of God into the hearts and lives of people who need it. DO IT TODAY! I PROMISE YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED!
Prayer: Lord, give me opportunities to take up my cross and follow you today. Amen.
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CALENDAR:
Thurs- No karate; Lutheranism 101 6:30???
Sat- Worship 5pm
Sun Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45
Sat-
WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS WEEK:
Acolyte- 8:30- Cierra Figura; 11- Loren Howard
Ushers- Dick Petersen, Jim Huster, Bob Linke, Tom Linke
Altar- Set up- Dave and Linda Callies; Clean Up- Sandy Robine
Elders- Sat- Al Benton; Sun- 8:30- Jason Cluver; 11- Don Turnure
Greeters- 8:30- Erv Yoder; 11- Doug and Ruth Walters
Lay Reader- Sat- Sandra Perricone; 8:30- Lois Boeger, 11- Steve Robine
Organist- Barb Dreyer
Pianists- Sat- Barb Dreyer, 11am Molly Hendershot
Projectionist: Sat- Perricone; Sun, 8:30- Yoder 11- ???
TELLERS: Team #1
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ :
Which chapters in Lamentations are acrostic poems? (Acrostic = each stanza starts with a different letter of the Hebrew alphabet, and each verse within each stanza starts with the same letter)
(Note: It should've said, which chapter in Lamentations is NOT an acrostic poem)
ANSWER: Each of the first four chapters of Lamentations are acrostics. Chapter 5 is not. (Thanks Don!)
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TODAY'S QUIZ: Who did Nebuchadnezzar appoint as governor over the land and over the men, women, and children who were the poorest in the land and were not carried off to Babylon?
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NEWS!!!!
HERE'S THE LINK ON HOW YOU CAN BEST HELP THE VICTIMS OF HURRICANE HARVEY
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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!!!
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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ANNUAL LABOR DAY FLOAT TRIP COMING NEXT MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 4!!!
Place: Ozark Outdoors
Time: Meet at 9am
Canoes- $25 per person
Kayaks- $30 per person
Rafts- $31 per person (Children 7 and under free, and 7-12 are $15)
Tubes- $25 per person
Rides on Ozark busses are still $30 if you have your own equipment.
Call Teresa Scott at 359-5041 or email her at tscott@usmo.com to sign up!
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WORK DAY, SATURDAY, SEPT 9, 8-Noon.
Several projects need to be done and the more helpers we have, the quicker they will get done.
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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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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 AUGUST IS SOUP AND RAMEN NOODLES. 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.
FW: MO District Response to Hurricane Harvey
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