DEVOTION: Jonah 3:1-5 English Standard Version (ESV)
Jonah Goes to Nineveh
3 Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying,2 "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it the message that I tell you." 3 So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city,[a] three days' journey in breadth.[b] 4 Jonah began to go into the city, going a day's journey. And he called out, "Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!" 5 And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them. 10 When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it.
Notice something here. Jonah didn't tell them that if they repented, God would change his mind. They weren't promised anything. Yes, they were indeed hoping that God would relent and not destroy them, but that isn't the reason they repented. They repented in true sadness and grief over their sins.
Another thing to take note of is that God sees the heart. He knew that their repentance wasn't just superficial. It was real. If they were just going through the motions God would not have had mercy on them.
In the same way, God sees your heart. He knows the truth. He knows if you're just going through the motions or if you are really repentant. He knows if you're just sitting in the pew in obstinate unbelief or if you are truly hearing the law and gospel and believing in the forgiveness and grace of Christ.
Jonah didn't want to go to Nineveh first, because it was such an unbelieving and rotten city, and second, because he didn't think they deserved it. God gave him a fig tree to sit under because of the shade, but then withered the fig tree in the middle of the day to show that he gives mercy on whom HE wants to give mercy.
A simple question for you today is, what kind of heart does God see in you, a believing and repentant one, or a hard, unbelieving and unrepentant one? My prayer for you is that you heed Jonah's and we'll see later this week, Jesus's call to repentance so that you may be spared and saved.
Prayer: Lord God, you call me to repentance. Make me to heed that call so that I may live in peace today and live with you forever. Amen.
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CALENDAR:
Tues- Quilting 9-2; Council 7
Wed- Sewing Dresses 9-Noon; Ladies Aid noon; Stephen Ministry 6; Choir 7
Thurs- karate 6:15; Restructuring task force meeting 6:30
Sat- Men's breakfast 8; worship 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school and adult Bible class 9:45
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WORSHIP WORKERS:
Acolyte- 8:30- Nova Luebke; 11- Savannah Masters
Ushers- Sat- Charlie Figura; Sun- Lew Feldkamp, Rich Boeger, Brett Nordwald, Scott Schulze, 11- Erv Yoder
Altar- Set up- Marilyn Foster; Clean Up- Terry McKenzie
Communion assistant- Sat- Roy Bohning; 8:30- Jason Cluver, 11- Dave Winter
Greeters- 8:30- Fosters; 11- Walters
Projectionists- Sat- Perricone; 8:30- Schaumberg; 11- Rausch
Lay Readers- Sat- Don Nolte; 8:30- Jennifer Figura 11- Karen Benton
Organist- Barb Dreyer
Pianists- Sat- Kathy Barrow; 11- Doug Walters
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ How many sons did Jacob have? (Extra credit: with how many different women did Jacob have these sons?)
Jacob had 12 sons from Leah, Rachel, Zilpah, and Bilhah. THANKS DON!
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TODAY'S QUIZ: What does the name "Esau" mean?
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NEWS:
MEN'S BREAKFAST THIS SATURDAY AT 8AM!!!
Come and enjoy some pancakes, bacon, eggs, and great fellowship! All men and boys are welcome. Doesn't matter whether you've been before or not. It's fun and it's not too heavy or touchy feely. Just some good, solid Christian fellowship. RSVP if you plan to come!
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ADULT BIBLE STUDY TASK FORCE FORMING
I am in need of one or two more people who are interested in forming a "curriculum" for our adult Bible studies for this year. Please reply to this email if you are interested! We need more Bible studies and more people involved in them.
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OFFERING ENVELOPES ARE ON THE SHELVES UNDERNEATH THE CHURCH MAILBOXES IN THE NARTHEX IF YOU HAVEN'T PICKED THEM UP YET!
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OUR LAST DIRECTORY (Last updated in August of 2016) has a lot of outdated phone numbers. If your number has changed, please call the office 456-2888 and let Terry know!
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DUE TO SOME TROUBLES WITH OUR CHURCH EMAIL ADDRESS WE HAVE HAD TO GET A NEW ONE
Our new email address is sjwarrlutheran@gmail.com. Please change it in your address books!!
Pastor's email, revklaus@hotmail.com will remain the same.
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A NEW AND EXPANDED VERSION OF LUTHER'S SMALL CATECHISM IS AVAILABLE AT A REDUCED PRICE OF $14.49!!
It is a great tool for learning and for daily meditation and devotions. Sign up to get your copy in the narthex today!
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LITTLE LAMBS IS STILL SELLING CANDY BARS AND COULD USE YOUR HELP!
If you'd like to help sell a box or two of candy bars as a fundraiser for Little Lambs preschool. Let Terry or one of the preschool ladies know. They'll hook you up right quick!
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SUNDAY SCHOOL MEMORY VERSE IS: "You are not your own, you were bought with a price, therefore honor God with your body." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
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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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OPERATION BACKPACK DONATIONS FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY IS CANNED FRUIT.
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PRAYERS:
For PAT MANESS who is hospitalized after several falls last week. She will be moving to Parklane Nursing and Rehab either today or tomorrow.
For PAT JAEGER whose surgery was postponed due to high blood pressure issues.
For PAUL TOEDEBUSCH as he continues to recover from a sprained his ankle and broke a bone in his leg.
For GEORGE HOELSCHER, BUCK HAMPTON, DENISE HOOKER (Betty Tameler's daughter) as they continue to deal with cancer.
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PRAYERS FOR OUR MILITARY PERSONNEL:
For COLTON FIGURA deployed to Turkey, SAM HARGROVE deployed in Kuwait 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, 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.
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