DEVOTION: 1 Corinthians 9:16-27 English Standard Version (ESV)
16 For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!17 For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship. 18 What then is my reward? That in my preaching I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.
19 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. 21 To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. 23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control,[a] lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
"For the sake of the Gospel", that is the key phrase in all of this. Paul's sole purpose is advancing the Gospel into the hearts and lives of all of God's creation. He was sent to make known the good news of Jesus!
And here is the good news, here is the Gospel: Jesus came to fulfill the law and then suffer and die for us because we couldn't. Three days later he rose from the dead as victor over sin, death the devil, and hell. Because he died, we die with him, and because he rose from the dead we rise with him to eternal life! On the last day he will give to all believers complete, total, and everlasting freedom from sin, death, the devil, and hell!"
So Paul, did everything he could and lived the way he needed to live to make sure the Gospel had free course in everyone's life. Whether they were Jew or Greek, slave or free, from the right side or the wrong side of town, he became one off them so that they could be come one of him, a saved human being who would live forever because of God's mercy and grace!
As one who has been hit by the Gospel bug, not in as much of a dramatic way as Paul, but hit nonetheless, I often feel the same way as he did. I will do anything, be anything, forgive whoever I need to forgive, live however I need to live so that others can hear the Gospel and believe it. That is my sole purpose in life! I can never satisfy this urge enough. I continuously want to do more, be more, and go more to spread the good news about Jesus.
I'll pray for you too, that you get that same fire in the belly that I have to proclaim the good news of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, because there is no more satisfying, wonderful, exciting thing in all the world than bringing someone to the full knowledge of Jesus Christ their Savior! Let's get after this together and get to work!
Prayer: Lord, thank you for giving me the privilege to proclaim the good news of your kingdom and righteousness! Help me to have the energy, stamina, and joy to keep doing it till the day I die. Amen.
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CALENDAR:
Wed- Stephen Ministry 6; Choir 7
Thurs- Alzheimer's Support 1pm; karate 6:15-7:15; Confirmation make up 6:30
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- Nick Schulze; 11- Cameron Faerber
Ushers- Sat- Bob Linke; Sun- Alan Hofeldt, Tim Linke, Gary Hoelscher, Ben Hoelscher, 11- Dave Winter
Altar- Set up- Doug and Ruth Walters; Clean Up- Pam Linke
Communion assistant- Sat- Randy Fischer; 8:30- Jason Cluver, 11- Dave Winter
Greeters- 8:30- Jim and Vickie McRae; 11- Marv and Molly Hendershot
Projectionists- Sat- Fischer; 8:30- McKenzie; 11- Addie Hoelscher
Lay Readers- Sat- Marcia Sevier; 8:30- Tim Linke 11- Luke Rausch
Organist- Barb Dreyer
Pianists- Sunday at 11- Molly Hendershot
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:
Who could go in to the Most Holy Place in the tabernacle? The high priest (Thanks Don!)
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TODAY'S QUIZ: Who was Aaron and what great sin did he commit?
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NEWS:
RETIREMENT SEMINARS AVAILABLE. WHO IS INTERESTED?
Denny Hagan from eldercare associates would like to know how many people would be interested in attending one or more of the following seminars if he were to come out to St. John's to do them.
- Identity theft. With tax season coming, this is a serious concern to not only seniors, but to everybody that has a Social Security Number. As a matter of fact, the most profitable Information on the net, is for children. It takes much longer to catch the issue, due to lack of use of the children's numbers.
- Changes in how Medicare Part B, is billed to Seniors, It is more important than ever that one takes the time to plan their retirement. Medicare part B is billed based on one's income, and to make it even more confusing, it is based on your income of 2 years ago. Now, before we start scaring anybody, If they are already receiving benefits, this new rule, will not apply. All of these rules, are changes in Social Security.
- Understanding Social Security: how to get all that is coming to you and making the most of it.
If anyone is interested in any of these, please let me know, and if we get enough people interested, we will get Denny to come out and do a presentation.
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A NEW SUPPORT GROUP FOR SOLDIERS HAS FORMED CALLED "WARRIORS' JOURNEY HOME"
It is a nonsectarian, nonpolitical group that will be meeting the second Sunday of the month at 2pm at Bridgeway Behavioral Health 1206 E. Veteran's memorial Parkway in Warrenton. Rev. Dr. Gary Ellul (retired from the Army, a licensed counselor, and pastor at St. Paul's In Jonesburg) will be leading the group. You can call his office if you are interested or know someone who is. Phone number is 636-224-1411. Pamphlets are on the counter in the narthex if you would like more information.
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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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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 moving to Twin Oaks today.
For GEORGE HOESCHER as his cancer has returned after a very short time of being in remission.
For GINA BOHNING (Roy Bohning's wife), BUCK HAMPTON, and DENISE HOOKER (Betty Tameler's daughter) as they continue to deal with cancer.
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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