DEVOTION: Mark 1:9-15 English Standard Version (ESV)
9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven, "You are my beloved Son;[a] with you I am well pleased."
12 The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13 And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.
14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand;[b] repent and believe in the gospel."
While other Gospel writers, and by other Gospel writers I mean Matthew, Luke, and John would take a little more time to tell these three stories, Mark takes care of Jesus' baptism, temptation and the beginning of his ministry all in six verses. . The word "immediately" pops up over and over again in Mark's Gospel. You might say that he sees the urgency with which Christ came on the scene.
It is with that same urgency that Christ comes into your life. He came at your baptism with a rush of water and his own words poured into you. He came with His Word piercing your ears with the condemning law and then the soul saving Gospel. He comes to you through your friends and family who care for you and love you in spite of your flaws and failures. And he comes with urgency through you as well. He comes through you as you see your neighbor hurting and you walk next door to help and console. He comes through you as you give your monetary gifts to one urgent need after another. He comes urgently through you as you love your kids and take care of their needs one by one as your Lord has given you the privilege, responsibility, strength, and love to do so. He comes through you urgently as you go and be reconciled to those who have hurt you and those whom you have hurt.
The whole world is in urgent need of Jesus. The folks down in Parkland, Florida are in desperate need of Jesus right now! When Satan oppresses and young man like this so that this man can commit such evil, it looks like Satan is winning, but the urgent message is that the Lord God has already won the war. The strife is over! The battle is done! Christ has had the last word.
I wanted to say something about the school shooting yesterday, but I really don't know what to say, except, evil is real and the only solution is Jesus. Love everyone around you today with the love of Jesus! If you see someone struggling with anger, or they don't seem to be able to control their emotions without having to act out, or they can't control their thoughts, or you see something else that looks like a red flag to you. Help them! If you think someone is in real danger call 911! Don't let anyone be alone! There are lots of lonely people in this world who are only left with their thoughts. Don't let that be! That's why God has given us a community of believers called the church! Well, I guess I did have something to say after all. Pray for the people dealing with this tragedy and all people mourning the loss of loved ones today, and remind everyone you see today that CHRIST IS RISEN! He is risen indeed! Amen.
Prayer: Help us to see the urgency of the Gospel message so that others may know you and believe. Amen.
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CALENDAR:
Thurs- Karate 6:15-7:30
Fri- Bible study at Hendershot's 7pm
Sat- Men's breakfast 8am; worship 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45; VOTER'S MEETING AT 9:45
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WORSHIP WORKERS:
Acolyte- Wed- Jared Cluver 8:30- Jared Cluver; 11- Loren Howard
Ushers- Wed- Alan Hofeldt, Tim Linke, Gary Hoelscher, Ben Hoelscher Sat- Charlie Figura; Sun- Lew Feldkamp, Rich boeger, Brett Nordwald, Scott Schulze; 11- Erv Yoder
Altar- Wednesday is already set up/ Clean up Joanne Hachtel Sun- set up- Jodi Baldwin ; Clean Up- Terry McKenzie
Communion assistant- Wed- Randy Fischer; Sat- Steve Robine; 8:30- John Hachtel, 11- Dave Winter
Greeters- 8:30- Don Nolte????; 11- Doug and Ruth Walters
Projectionists- Sat- Gus Klaustermeier; 8:30- Schaumberg; 11- Luebke
Lay Readers- Sat- Sandra Perricone; 8:30- Jacob Nagel 11- Karen Benton
8:30 Organist- Barb Dreyer
Pianists- Sat- Kathy Barrow; 11am- Molly Hendershot
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: When the Israelites went in to conquer the Promised Land, what were they to do with the current inhabitants and their possessions? What did they do instead? What happened just as the Lord said it would?
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NEWS:
MEN'S BREAKFAST THIS SATURDAY MORNING AT 8AM!!
Invite someone! Bring a son or grandson! RSVP to let me know you're coming!!
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VOTER'S MEETING THIS SUNDAY AT 9:45
Agenda— Along with our usual reports there are a few things n Old Business and New Business
Old Business
- Report from restructuring task force
- Report from security team
- Discussion on consolidating three services into one
New Business- Report on possible new children's and youth program from faith Inkubators
Please come and join us and give your opinions and ideas.
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NEXT WEEK LENTEN MIDWEEK SUPPER at 5:30 AND WORSHIP AT 6:30
This year during our Lenten worship we're going to do something different. We will be doing an interactive message time in which we will all formulate our own versions of the "Gospel in seven words".
If someone were to come to you and ask you to tell them what you believe in seven words or less, what would you say? In this fast paced, information age, you may not have much more than that to get the Gospel out to someone. How would you respond to that request?
I am very excited to see how we come up with our conclusions and what our extremely concise profession and confessions of faith will look like! You'll have to join us on Wednesday to find out what it's all about!!
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ALL PARENTS NEED TO RSVP TO ME SO THAT I KNOW YOU GO THE LETTER I SENT LAST WEEK AND SO I KNOW YOU'RE COMING TO OUR MEETING ON SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 25 @ NOON!!
If you have any kids between the ages of 0-18 who are members of St. John's, I want you at a luncheon and meeting on Sunday, Feb 25 at noon to discuss the future of your kid's faith life and your involvement in it. The meeting will not take more than an hour, but will hopefully make a lasting impact on how you see your role in your child's faith life, what you can do to help it, and how the church and pastor can help you help your child. Let's grow our youth into the great Christian adults god intended them to be!
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BRING YOUR BABY BOTTLES IN THIS WEEK!!!
So far we've raised $1062.36 through our baby bottle campaign with quite a few bottles still out there. If you took a bottle home with you, make sure you bring it back this week or weekend full of cash, coins, or checks!! Let's support keeping babies alive in Warren County!!
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CHILI COOK-OFF AND BOARD GAMES ON SATURDAY, FEB. 24 @ 6PM!!
Do you think you have THE BEST chili recipe known to man? Do you like to compete? Then sign up for our chili cook-off and come and join us for a fun evening with your friends at St. John's!! Invite your friends! We'll start right after our Saturday worship!!
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YOUTH GROUP STEAK DINNER AND AUCTION IS SATURDAY, MARCH 10!!
Tickets will go on sale at church this weekend after services.
AUCTION ITEMS ARE NEEEDED!!
If you have any good items that they youth could use for the auction, please bring them by church any time we're open! If you leave something when pastor isn't here, please put a note on it to tell us that it is from you.
MONTHLY PAPER NEWSLETTERS WILL NO LONGER BE MAILED!!!
This past week was the last week you'll receive your newsletter in the mail unless you are shut-in, in the military or live far away from home for some reason. You'll have to come to church to get it!
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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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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 FEBRUARY IS CANNED VEGETABLES.
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PRAYERS:
For DON NOLTE who will be having carpel tunnel surgery on Thursday.
For JOANNA HOELSCHER who is recovering from surgery at home.
For PAT JAEGER as she recovers from carpel tunnel surgery at home.
For HAROLD TEMME as he is hospitalized recovering from a broken nose and as concussion after a bad fall.
For RAYMOND SLAYDEN, son of Lil Winter, as he is having the same trouble as she is with a-fib and congestive heart troubles
For LIL WINTER as she deals with heart troubles.
For PAUL TOEDEBUSCH as he continues to recover from a broken leg and severely sprained ankle. He has to wear a boot for 4 more weeks, but can walk on it and use a cane to get around.
For GEORGE HOESCHER, 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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