Daily Email: Tuesday, May 15, 2018

DEVOTION:  Ezekiel 37:1-14 English Standard Version (ESV)

The Valley of Dry Bones

37 The hand of the Lord was upon me, and he brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord and set me down in the middle of the valley; it was full of bones. ² And he led me around among them, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley, and behold, they were very dry. ³ And he said to me, "Son of man, can these bones live?" And I answered, "O Lord God, you know." ⁴ Then he said to me, "Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. ⁵ Thus says the Lord God to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. ⁶ And I will lay sinews upon you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live, and you shall know that I am the Lord."

⁷ So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I prophesied, there was a sound, and behold, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. ⁸ And I looked, and behold, there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them. But there was no breath in them. ⁹ Then he said to me, "Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, Thus says the Lord God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live." ¹⁰ So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army.

¹¹ Then he said to me, "Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Behold, they say, 'Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are indeed cut off.' ¹² Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will open your graves and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will bring you into the land of Israel. ¹³ And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves, and raise you from your graves, O my people. ¹⁴ And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it, declares the Lord."

 

https://www.facebook.com/jeremy.klaustermeier/videos/10155519777053803/

 

 

 

 

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CALENDAR:

Tues- Quilting 9-2

Wed- Dress Sewing 9:30; Ladies Aid Noon; No choir practice

Thurs- Karate 6:15-7:45pm

Fri- Bible study at Hendershots 7pm

Sat- FAITH5 workshop 8-11; worship 5pm

Sun- Worship 8:30 or 11; Voter's meeting 9:45; Sunday school 9:45

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WORSHIP WORKERS: 

Acolyte- 8:30- Jared Cluver; 11- Luke Rausch

 

Ushers- 8:30- Lew Feldkamp, Rich Boeger, Brett Nordwald, Scott Schulze; 11- Erv Yoder

 

Altar- Set up- Jodi Baldwin; Clean Up- Sandy Robine

 

Communion assistant- Sat- Roy Bohning; 8:30- Don Turnure; 11- Al Benton

Greeters- 8:30- Don Nolte; 11- Dan and Lisa Rausch

 

 Projectionist- Sat- Gus Klaustermeier, 8:30- Schaumberg, 11- Cameron Faerber

Lay Reader- Sat- Roy Bohning; 8:30- Steve McDowell; 11- Karen Benton

 

Sat Pianist- Kathy Barrow

 

11am pianist- Doug Walters

 

Organist- Barb Dreyer

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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:  Which Psalm was a wedding song to the tune of "Lillies"? Psalm 45

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TODAY'S QUIZ: According to the Scriptures, how did Solomon get his wisdom?

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NEWS:

FAITH5 ONE DAY WORKSHOP NEXT SATURDAY, MAY 19^th 8-11

 

Whether you are a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, spouse, child, or monkey; this training is good for you.  It will help you grow in your communication with your family! 

 

If you'd like to join me for this training, please sign the sign up sheet on the counter in the narthex, rely to this email, or call/text me at 359-1061. 

 

Let's make families great again together as a church!

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ITEMS FOR THIS SUNDAY'S VOTER'S MEETING

We have a voters meeting scheduled for May 20.  In this newsletter, I want to alert you to some things that will be discussed and voted on so you know what's going on and can prepare accordingly. 

 

1. Change in governance structure proposed to be implemented on a trial basis: 

                Over the past two decades we have seen a sharp decline in the number of members who are able and willing to serve on boards and committees.  We have also seen that many of these boards and committees have lost their effectiveness and are not necessarily what the church needs or is focused on.  Therefore our current governance structure has been in need of an overhaul for quite some time. 

                At last November's voter's meeting it was moved that a governance task force should be appointed to move forward with this.  They have been meeting to discuss certain changes, and have been working diligently to come up with a plan and structure that will work for St. John's.  They have come up with a new governance structure that they will be proposed, and then for the next five months the details will be worked out and our bylaws changed to reflect these changes.  Then, at the November voter's meeting the voters will vote to approve the changes to bylaws and

                I will not explain the plan here as it should be something that will be explained better in person on May 20. I will just say that we are moving from a board and committee model to a ministry model where people can participate and work freely in and with events and ministries instead of having to commit to a three year term on a board. Ministry will grow and more people will be able to be involved and not be hindered by a governance structure that is outdated.

 

2. A proposal to consolidate our three worship services to one on a trial basis beginning June 3.

                Last year we used fifth Sundays to consolidate our worship services into one service and to have a fellowship meal and celebration after worship.  It was met with much success, and many people came to the leadership of the church and to me and asked why we don't do it every week. 

                Then, in October of last year, there was a mass shooting at a church in Texas along with other shootings and acts of violence at other churches, and we began to think about our own church, and how we too often leave ourselves vulnerable. A security task force was appointed, and one of the things that was a big factor is how often we leave ourselves open for attack without even thinking about it.  It was discussed that a way to keep ourselves safer would be to have less public worship services so that those trained in security could be available and at the ready at each worship service.  It would also provide peace of mind for those attending who are concerned about such things, myself included. 

                Another factor in this is that we are spreading ourselves too thin when it comes to volunteers and worshipers.  Since we have less people attending worship, there are less men who want to be elders, less acolytes, less projectionists, etc. as well as  less worshipers in general. This provides scheduling hassles and nightmares for those who remain as volunteers and for Terry, our secretary.

                The benefits of worshiping together in one service have been evident on our fifth Sundays. The sense of unity and fellowship is great!  Singing is more robust and joyful. It is just a much more worshipful atmosphere when we are all together as one. 

                The downsides are certainly noted as well. Less convenience may cause some to not be able to attend.  And while this may be true, we haven't seen any lasting increase in worship attendance when we added worship services either.    Another downside is that those who have grown used to a routine, or a certain style of worship will have to adapt and adjust.

                Our worship style will be blended.  We will have liturgy, hymns, children's songs, and videos all in the same service.  I can guarantee that it will be wonderful, because I know that the Lord Jesus will be there and be honored and praised!

                Of course this is all subject to voter discussion and approval on May 20.  Please contact pastor or your elder with any concerns you may have. 

 

3. There is a $20,000 memorial that was given by the Ed Kohrs estate that the trustees would like the voters to approve to be used for a security system around church and a new digital sign out front.

                With past acts of violence and increasing church break ins, a security system would be a great help to our safety.   Our current sign is falling apart piece by piece and would cost more to fix than the sign is worth. 

 

In closing, I want to encourage and remind you that even though the world and our church seem to be changing at a more rapid pace than we'd like, our LORD DOES NOT CHANGE!  He is the same, yesterday, today, and forever!  He will be with you through the changes of life, and will bring you to eternal life.  And whatever changes do happen at St. John's the Lord Jesus will still be the Lord of this church!  He will still be the one preached, taught and witnessed!  He will still guide this church toward doing his will!  The Scriptures will be our source of teaching, doctrine and life! 

                I can also encourage you that, even though worship attendance is on the decline, membership is on the rise!  We've been averaging two baptisms a month so far this year, and many are planning on becoming members in the near future through transfer and adult instruction.  Be encouraged that God is still growing his church! Be excited about the future of St. John's.  I know that God will do great things through us.  He will use our mouths, hands and feet to bring the lost to himself!

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ISAIAH 55 MINISTRY HAS BEGUN AT ST. JOHN'S!!

This ministry is very simple.  Take the Word of God and put it into the hands and lives of people.  As you go about your day, simply leave them in the restaurant, store, waiting room—wherever someone would find them.  Give them as gifts to your friends and neighbors. 

 

This ministry is based on these verses from Isaiah 55

¹⁰ "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
    and do not return there but water the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
    giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
¹¹ so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
    it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
    and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

 

Bibles are on the counter in the narthex.  Take as many as you want!

 

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YARD SIGNS FOR THE PREGNANCY OPTIONS CENTER

Would you like to have a sign in your yard promoting the pregnancy options center? 

It simply says:

Pregnant?

Need Help?

Call 636-235-1477

 

Please sign the sign up sheet on the counter in the narthex or reply to this email and I will sign you up. 

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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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PRAYERS: 

For the FRIENDS AND FAMILY OF BILL MCKENZIE (Terry's father in law) as he passed from death to eternal life yesterday.

 

For pastor's mom, DEBRA KLAUSTERMEIER, as she is having some problems with her eye  after her cataract surgery and may have to have another surgery.

 

For CONNER FIGURA, as he leaves for San Antonio for Air Force basic training today.

 

For ALL OF OUR GRADUATES, both high school and college, that the Lord would guide them forward in his grace and truth.

 

For RAYMOND SLAYDEN, son of Lil Winter, as he will be undergoing heart valve surgery on Monday, May 21.

 

For PAT MANNESS as she fell this past weekend and hurt her shoulder and awaits a visit to the orthopedic surgeon.

 

For LIL WINTER as she fell while on vacation in Hawaii last week and hurt her back.  She is meeting with the surgeon on Wednesday.

 

For MIKE AND AMBER VOSSEN as they were in a motorcycle accident and are recovering from injuries at home.

 

For CAROL BRAZEE, as she has finally gotten out of the hospital and has been moved to Breeze Park for rehab. 

 

For BUCK HAMPTON who has decided to stop chemo treatments and go on hospice care.

 

For RON WILLIAMS' MOM, MARY WILLIAMS, as she is on hospice care at the end stages of Alzheimer's/Dementia.

 

For JEANNIE SIEBOLD, DENISE HOOKER (Betty Tameler's daughter),  GEORGE HOESCHER,  as they continue to deal with cancer. 

 

 

PRAYERS FOR OUR MILITARY PERSONNEL:

For both DAN DREYER and SAM HARGROVE as they move on to their next assignments and/or get jobs during their interim at home.

 

For COLTON FIGURA deployed to Turkey for five more months.

 

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.