Daily Email: Wednesday, January 17, 2018

DEVOTION: 1 Corinthians 7:29-35English Standard Version (ESV)

²⁹ This is what I mean, brothers: the appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none, ³⁰ and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no goods, ³¹ and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away.

³² I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. ³³ But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife,³⁴ and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband. ³⁵ I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord.

 

Undivided devotion to the Lord, isn't that what we are all after?  We live in a very difficult world. Our interests, allegiances, and time are pulled in so many different directions.  Kids are taught that to be successful (whatever successful means), you have to be the best at whatever it is you do.  We can see this in youth sports.  Sports is no longer done simply for enjoyment.  It's used as a way to get ahead.  We can't just play a game anymore, we have to "excel" at it.  School is no longer just a place to learn, but a place to catapult you into your future endeavors.  If you don't get straight As and get that scholarship, then your life is worthless.

            In the middle of all this we've lost sight of what's important, our relationship with Almighty God.  People are pulled everywhere earthly while their spirits, their souls, are drying up from lack of attention and nurture. While they have to have all  everything that the world has to offer, they're fine with "still having faith" or "just believing" in Jesus.  They want to excel in everything else but their eternal relationship with Almighty God.  All the time they should have this mantra "Nothing matters but Jesus and Jesus makes all the difference."

            Now I'm not saying shoot for mediocrity.  I'm not saying that you shouldn't try.  What I am saying is that you need to get your priorities straight.  Your relationship with God should direct everything else you do in life, not the other way around.  And what I see in too many lives is that it is the other way around.  It is the tail wagging the dog.  We are majoring in minors. 

            It's time to repent!  In one sense Paul is saying that it is better not to be married, if that marriage is going to divide your time and energy.  On the other hand he is saying that it is good to get married, because that can enhance your relationship with God.  Your marriage should not put you in a bind.  It shouldn't take you away from your relationship with the Lord, but should always bring you back to the Lord!  Let your relationship with the Lord guide and direct your marriage.

            I encourage you to think about everything you do and the amount of money and time you spend on things.  What is getting in the way of your relationship with Jesus?  What is enhancing it?  Then change what needs to be changed.  I'm not saying quit your job, or make your kids quit the team, but realize that the only be all and end all of your life is your relationship with Jesus and how that relationship affects and directs everything else you do! 

 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for being my everything.  Direct my life and all that I do so that it may please you and I may grow in your strength.  Amen.

 

 

 

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CALENDAR:

Wed- Sewing Dresses 9-Noon; Ladies Aid noon; Stephen Ministry 6; Bible study task force meeting 6pm; 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   What does the name "Esau" mean? Esau means hairy.  That's why Jacob used an animal hide to deceive his father Isaac to get the inheritance from his brother Esau.

Thanks Don!

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TODAY'S QUIZ:  Who is Reuben?

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NEWS:

ADULT BIBLE STUDY TASK FORCE IS MEETING TONIGHT AT 6PM! 

If you'd like some input on our Bible study curriculum, please be there at the meeting or reply to this email with your input. 

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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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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.