DEVOTION: Philippians 1:12-14 and 19-30 English Standard Version (ESV)
The Advance of the Gospel
12 I want you to know, brothers,[a] that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard[b] and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word[c] without fear.
19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. 24 But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. 25 Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, 26 so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.
27 Only let your manner of life be worthy[a] of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, 28 and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. 29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, 30 engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.
What does it mean to really live? Does it mean being all you can be? Does it mean eat, drink, and be merry? Does it mean to love everyone as much as you can? What does it really mean to live? Well, I think Paul has the best answer when he says, "For to me to live is Christ."
And so we ask the ultimate question. What does this mean? What does it mean when we say "to live is Christ"? Well, it basically means that we live in the Gospel. We live in the life that Christ has given us. We live in the knowledge that we are living in God's grace, and nothing can separate us from that love, not sin, not our enemies, not our troubles, nothing can separate us. We live in Christ by living in his love.
And this love motivates us to do good things. It motivates us to forgive others who sin against us. It motivates us to work hard at our jobs because we want to honor God and his love. It motivates us to love others and to do good to everyone. It motivates us to have joy and happiness in spite of our circumstances. It motivates us to LIVE IN CHRIST!
How are you living in Christ? I'd love to hear about it? I always rejoice when Christ's love permeates the ones I love and the whole church! May the Holy Spirit make it happen more each and every day!
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for bringing more people to you through me. Help me to live in you, whatever that means. Amen.
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CALENDAR:
Wed- Sewing Dresses for Africa 9:30-12; Ladies Aid 12; Stephen Ministry 6; Choir 7
Thurs-Karate 6:15-7:45
Fri- Newsletter assembly 9am; Karin's bday party 6pm
Sat- St. John's Booth at downtown festival 11:30-9:30; Worship 5pm
Sun Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45
Sat-
WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS WEEK:
Acolyte- 8:30- Cierra Figura; 11- Addie Hoelscher
Ushers- Brent Davis, Gary Hoelscher, Ben Hoelscher, ???????
Altar- Set up- Lucille Luebke; Clean Up- John and Anna Hoenig
Elders- Sat- Dave Winter; Sun- 8:30- John Hachtel; 11- Dave Winter
Greeters- ????????
Lay Reader- Sat- Judy Koprowski; 8:30- Tim Linke, 11- ????
Organist- Ned Quest
Sat Pianist- Molly Hendershot
Projectionist: Sat- Mauch; Sun, 8:30- McKenzie; 11- ?????
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: Which Psalm is a "Prayer of an afflicted man, When he is faint and pours out his lament before the Lord."
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NEWS
STILL NEED VOLUNTEERS FOR TWO HOUR SHIFTS DURING THE DOWNTOWN FALL FESTIVAL
PLEASE!! PLEASE!! PLEASE!!! SIGN UP!
We will be selling homemade potato chips (Gary Hoelscher's special recipe) and funnel cake by Brent Davis, and handing out Gospel literature on Saturday, September 23 from 11:30-9:30. We need people to help set up in the morning (8-10), to man the booth (11:30-9:30), to help make the potato chips and funnel cakes, and to take down at night (9:30-11:30 or so). We are just asking for two hour shifts throughout the day. Please help the cause and come and enjoy the day!
Please sign up either by replying to this email or by signing the sign up sheet on the counter in the narthex at church.
Set Up- 8-10 (meet at church to load stuff up and bring downtown)—
11:30-1:30- (man booth and make chips and funnel cakes)
1:30-3:30-
3:30-5:30-
5:30-7:30-
7:30-9:30-
9:30-11:30—(take down and bring stuff back up to church)
Note: We may end earlier depending on business and traffic at our booth, but we can't get our trucks in to load stuff up until after the Little River Band concert is over.
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WORSHIP SERVICE VIDEO FROM THIS PAST WEEKEND!!
Enjoy!
https://youtu.be/WCAiRWSIMUo
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DOOR OFFERING ONE MORE WEEKEND 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 Wednesday 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?
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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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 IS CANNED FRUIT. Please bring items up to church and put them in the tub marked "Backpack Blessings".
PRAYERS:
For the INFANT GRANDSON OF DANE AND JODI BALDWIN who was born twelve weeks premature. Right now he is getting some help with breathing, but all vitals and everything are good. He was born at 2 and a half pounds.
For THOSE IN THE CARIBBEAN, FLORIDA, AND THE EAST COAST who are dealing with hurricane Irma.
For THOSE IN TEXAS AND LOUISIANA who are dealing with historic flooding and damage from hurricane Harvey.
For GEORGE HOELSCHER as he continues to fight cancer and goes through cancer treatments.
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.
