DEVOTION: Isaiah 60:1-6 English Standard Version (ESV)
60 Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.
2 For behold, darkness shall cover the earth,
and thick darkness the peoples;
but the Lord will arise upon you,
and his glory will be seen upon you.
3 And nations shall come to your light,
and kings to the brightness of your rising.
4 Lift up your eyes all around, and see;
they all gather together, they come to you;
your sons shall come from afar,
and your daughters shall be carried on the hip.
5 Then you shall see and be radiant;
your heart shall thrill and exult,[a]
because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you,
the wealth of the nations shall come to you.
6 A multitude of camels shall cover you,
the young camels of Midian and Ephah;
all those from Sheba shall come.
They shall bring gold and frankincense,
and shall bring good news, the praises of the Lord.
When the wise men, Gentiles mind you, came to see the one who was to be born king of the Jews, they weren't just coming to see a king, they were coming to see a Messiah, one who was prophesied long before in this very passage. Also, we usually think of three wise me, because there were three gifts, but I tend to think there were many more, especially when reading this prophecy of Isaiah here. "A multitude of camels" and "all those from Sheba". I think there were a lot of people, especially foreigners, who were waiting for a Messiah, the one prophesied from of old.
The best thing about all of this is that it doesn't matter how many magi showed up to see the king. It doesn't matter how many gifts they brought. What matters is that the King of kings and Lord of lords was born. What matters is that God could even make a star guide people to the Messiah. What matters is that God became incarnate for you and for me! He truly is the one who has redeemed the world! He truly is the one who is a light to the Gentiles and the glory of Israel!
On this cold, cold day, be reminded that Jesus was born for you, and as you get ready to celebrate the Epiphany, the revelation to the world about who he is and what he came to do, realize that all of his majesty and all of his glory was and is for you! It's all for you! Rejoice!
Prayer: Lord, thank you for guiding the magi to announce to the world who this baby born in Bethlehem would be! Thank for sending our Savior to earth. Thank you that the Messiah has come! Amen.
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CALENDAR:
Tues- Kristine Yoder visitation 10-12, funeral 12, luncheon to follow
Wed- Stephen Ministry 6pm
Thurs- Alzheimers support 1pm; karate 6:15
Sat- 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- Cameron Faerber; 11- Cierra Figura
Ushers- Alan Hofeldt, Tom Linke, Gary Hoelscher, Ben Hoelscher
Altar- Set up- Marilyn Foster; Clean Up- Pam Linke
Communion assistant- Sat- Steve Robine; 8:30-Johhn Hachtel, 11- Dave Winter
Greeters- 8:30- Erv Yoder; 11- Dan and Lisa Rausch
Projectionists- Sat- Gus Klaustermeier; 8:30- Erv Yoder; 11- Loren Howard
Lay Readers- Sat- Marcia Sevier; 8:30- Amber Vossen 11- Addie Hoelscher
Organist- Sat and 8:30- Barb Dreyer
Pianists- 11- Molly Hendershot
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: Who is James?
- A disciple of Jesus and brother of John
- A brother of Jesus
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TODAY'S QUIZ: Who were the three sons of Noah?
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NEWS:
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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NEW ADULT BIBLE STUDY STARTS THIS SUNDAY CALLED "SEE THROUGH THE SCRIPTURES"
It is a brief overview of the main theme of the Scriptures and gives us a wide view of the history of the Bible. It should take us about six weeks total to cover all the material in the study.
This will be a great study for all who are new to the Bible as well as those who "think" they know everything there is to know about the Bible. Please make plans to join us for our Bible study hour!!
INSTALLATION OF CONGREGATIONAL OFFICERS AND BOARD MEMBERS IS THIS SUNDAY!!
If you have been elected to one of our boards or are continuing as an officer of the congregation, please be in attendance at one of our worship services this weekend to be installed and prayed for as you begin this year's service to our congregation and to the Lord.
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SCRIP ORDERS ARE DUE NEXT MONDAY, JANUARY 8!!
Call the office or fill out a sheet on the counter in the narthex to get your order in!!!!
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2018 OFFERING ENVELOPES BEGIN THIS WEEKEND!! IF YOU HAVEN'T PICKED YYOURS UP YET PLEASE DO SO THIS WEEKEND!!
They are on the shelves below the church mailboxes in the narthex
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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: "Rejoice always! Pray without ceasing! Give thanks in all circumstances! 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
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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 ERV YODER AND HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS as they mourn the loss of his daughter, Kristine.
For BECCA WINN recovering from kidney surgery to remove kidney stones, and the complications that happened after surgery. She is at home.
For JENNIFER FIGURA as she deals with new medicine and its side effects to help with troubles with her heart.
For PAUL TOEDEBUSCH as he continues to recover from a sprained his ankle and broke a bone in his leg.
For LEO BADER as he recovers from hip replacement surgery.
For PEGGY TALBERT who is recovering from knee replacement surgery at home.
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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