DEVOTION: Ezekiel 33:7-9 English Standard Version (ESV)
7 "So you, son of man, I have made a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. 8 If I say to the wicked, O wicked one, you shall surely die, and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from his way, that wicked person shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. 9 But if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, that person shall die in his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul.
Whoa, that's some serious stuff. Does God really mean that it is Ezekiel's fault if he doesn't preach the warning God has called him to preach and those who were supposed to hear it die in their iniquity? Answer: YES!
This is the burden not just of a preacher (pastor), but of all those who know the truth and have been given opportunity to care for a brother or sister who is hurting themselves in their sin, or who is in danger of losing faith all together, and does nothing about it. It is truly a burden of love for the neighbor that our Holy Spirit gives to us by faith.
A lot of times we keep ourselves from speaking the truth in love, because we don't want to hurt someone's feelings or lose a friend all together. We want to keep that friendship so we keep from warning a person that what they are doing is harmful to their soul.
The question we should then ask ourselves is do we want to lose that friend forever in hell? So then we should always speak the truth, but speak it always in LOVE! If you had a growth on your back that you couldn't see or feel, that was cancerous, would you want someone to point it out to you even though you'd be embarrassed, or would you want the person to spare you the embarrassment and then die from cancer?
Let us pray: Lord, thank you for sending people into our lives to speak the truth when I need to hear it. Make me a person who loves someone enough to speak the truth to them and save their life. Amen.
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CALENDAR:
Tues- Quilting 9-2
Wed- Stephen Ministry 6; Choir 7
Thurs- Alzheimers Support Group 1pm; Karate 6:15-7:45; Lutheranism 101 6:30
Sat- Work day 8-Noon; Stephen Ministry 9-Noon; Holy Yoga 10-11; Worship 5pm
Sun Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45; GOLF OUTING 12:30-5pm
WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS WEEK:
Acolyte- 8:30- Addie Hoelscher; 11- Gus Klaustermeier
Ushers- Larry Schulze, Scott Schulze, Gary Scott, Dave Winter
Altar- Set up- Jodi Baldwin; Clean Up- Joanne Hachtel
Elders- Sat- Dave Winter; Sun- 8:30- Jason Cluver; 11- Charlie Figura
Greeters- 8:30- Al and Karen Benton; 11- Charlie and Lynn Figura
Lay Reader- Sat- Marcia Sevier; 8:30- Jennifer Figura, 11- Lisa Lacy
Organist and Pianist- Pat Golden
Projectionist: Sat- Perricone; Sun, 8:30- Yoder 11- ???
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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? Gedaliah
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TODAY'S QUIZ: What four chapters in Ezekiel contain his vision of the great temple?
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NEWS!!!!
WORK DAY THIS SATURDAY, 8-Noon.
Several projects need to be done and the more helpers we have, the quicker they will get done. I'll bring the donuts and make the coffee!!
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HOLY YOGA 10-11am THIS SATURDAY!!
Come and strengthen your body and your soul at the same time. Amanda Nordwald is a great teacher and leader and will make you feel right at home on a Yoga mat! Experience doesn't matter. Just have an open mind and do what you can!
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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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DOOR OFFERINGS THE NEXT TWO WEEKENDS TO HELP THE VICTIMS OF HURRICANE HARVEY!
Lutheran Trust of St. Louis will match all offerings 100% up to $10,000 per congregation and $1,000,000 total through September 24.
If you bring a check, make it out to St. John's and in the mem write "Hurricane Relief". All offerings will go to LCMS Disaster Relief. This is the best way to help!
If, for some reason, you can't make it to church or would like to donate directly, go to www.lcms.org/harvey to donate and let us know that you did.
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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 ESPECIALLY FOR 11AM SERVICE!!!
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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DO YOU HAVE A THRIVENT FINANCIAL ACCOUNT OR POLICY?
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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 SEPTEMBER CANNED FRUIT. 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.
