DEVOTION:
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. Romans 12:3
Finding the right balance is always a difficult thing to achieve.
Case in point: Oria, Italy. Recently, the city of Oria decided to build a basketball court and gym facility for its young people. That's a good thing, and nobody has a problem with it. The difficulty arose with where the new facility is located.
The basketball court was built over an ancient graveyard that dates from the third century before Christ. The graveyard was destroyed, and there is no way of ever recovering what has been lost.
The mayor of Oria says the town had no place for basketball and a great many places where archaeological excavations might take place. Besides which, the mayor maintains, all too often historical digs are left undug.
Leading the opposition is Franco Arpa, the retired local police inspector. He says, "... not everyone thinks it is better to play pick-up soccer matches where the cradle of civilization once stood."
So, who do you think is right?
You should know I ask the question because many congregations are dealing with similar situations. No, they don't have ancient graveyards, but they still are trying to find a proper balance between the old and the new, the comfortable and the cutting-edge, the traditional and the, well, you get the idea.
Tragically, these are the kinds of issues that can divide congregations, cause bad blood and pretty much mess up the witness of a church.
Now the purpose of this devotion is not to make decisions for a congregation or even to weigh in on one side or another. The point of these short paragraphs is to share a lesson taught by the town of Oria, Italy.
One side (the mayor's side) acted quickly to accomplish its irreversible purpose. That this was done without consulting with or considering the opinion of the others will have negative repercussions for years to come. That lesson, applied to the church, says, "Be careful. Consider others. Don't rush to do that which can never be undone."
It is my belief if this single suggestion was accepted, voters' meetings might be more pleasant and Christ's congregation could concentrate on doing the right things the crucified and risen Savior said needed doing.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, I am glad to stand up for those things that are important. When I take those stands, may they be the stands You would have me make. This I pray in my Savior's Name. Amen.
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: What was the first plague that God brought upon Egypt? The Nile river was turned to blood. (Way to go Dianne Hance!)
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TODAY'S QUIZ: What number plague was the plague of dead animals?
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CATECHISM:
10th commandment: You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.
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For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. Romans 12:3
Finding the right balance is always a difficult thing to achieve.
Case in point: Oria, Italy. Recently, the city of Oria decided to build a basketball court and gym facility for its young people. That's a good thing, and nobody has a problem with it. The difficulty arose with where the new facility is located.
The basketball court was built over an ancient graveyard that dates from the third century before Christ. The graveyard was destroyed, and there is no way of ever recovering what has been lost.
The mayor of Oria says the town had no place for basketball and a great many places where archaeological excavations might take place. Besides which, the mayor maintains, all too often historical digs are left undug.
Leading the opposition is Franco Arpa, the retired local police inspector. He says, "... not everyone thinks it is better to play pick-up soccer matches where the cradle of civilization once stood."
So, who do you think is right?
You should know I ask the question because many congregations are dealing with similar situations. No, they don't have ancient graveyards, but they still are trying to find a proper balance between the old and the new, the comfortable and the cutting-edge, the traditional and the, well, you get the idea.
Tragically, these are the kinds of issues that can divide congregations, cause bad blood and pretty much mess up the witness of a church.
Now the purpose of this devotion is not to make decisions for a congregation or even to weigh in on one side or another. The point of these short paragraphs is to share a lesson taught by the town of Oria, Italy.
One side (the mayor's side) acted quickly to accomplish its irreversible purpose. That this was done without consulting with or considering the opinion of the others will have negative repercussions for years to come. That lesson, applied to the church, says, "Be careful. Consider others. Don't rush to do that which can never be undone."
It is my belief if this single suggestion was accepted, voters' meetings might be more pleasant and Christ's congregation could concentrate on doing the right things the crucified and risen Savior said needed doing.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, I am glad to stand up for those things that are important. When I take those stands, may they be the stands You would have me make. This I pray in my Savior's Name. Amen.
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: What was the first plague that God brought upon Egypt? The Nile river was turned to blood. (Way to go Dianne Hance!)
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
TODAY'S QUIZ: What number plague was the plague of dead animals?
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CATECHISM:
10th commandment: You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.
Question: What does God requie of us in the tenth commandment?
Answer: We should be content with the helpers God has given us and encourage our neighbor's helpers to be faithful to our neighbor.
Answer: We should be content with the helpers God has given us and encourage our neighbor's helpers to be faithful to our neighbor.
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CHURCH CALENDAR
Tues- quilters 9-2; Bible study 11:30;12:15
Wed- bells 6:30; choir 7:30
Thurs- nothing
Fri- Assemble newsletter 9am
Sat- worship 5pm
Sun- Bible Study 8; worship 9; Bible Study and Sunday school 10:15; WORSHIP 11am
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NEWS:
NEWS:
THANK YOU ALL FOR ALL OF THE WONDERFUL BIRTHDAY WISHES YESTERDAY. 41 doesn't feel too much different than 40.
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BIBLE 101: A NEW ONLINE "INTRODUCTORY" BIBLE STUDY IS AVAILABLE FOR ALL MEMBERS OF ST JOHN'S!!!
What is it? Bible 101 is a new online product from Concordia Publishing House that increases Biblical literacy in adults.
It is for all levels of learning and knowledge. Even pastors learn things from this course.
Participants simply log into Bible 101 and enter an online learning environment. Members start out by learning essential Bible basics from "square one" and then build upon that as they progress through the course.
Here are som of the features of Bible 101
online- uses proven online educational strategies and models that facilitate retention among multiple learning styles.
videos- throughout the week, participants can access videos that relate to the lesson
discussion forum- participants are not left on their own as they are connected to a community where they can correspond, question, and encourage each other.
podcasts- daily devotional for each weekday
quizzes- test your knowledge and easily benchmakr where you are in your learning cycle.
printing- easily print the materials for even more easy access.
Please call or reply to this email to let me know that you want to sign up for this wonderful opportunity. I will sign you up! The congregation has already paid the annual fee so IT IS FREE for you!!!
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HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH MEETING EVERY MONDAY 6:30-7:15
We will be starting a short series called "Sports and Christianity, How they Mix and How they don't" . We will also be spending some time in prayer for each other, for our friends, and for our school. Please make plans on coming and bring friends!!
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DOT DAEHNKE'S MEMORIAL SERVICE WILL BE SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4 AT 11am, WITH LUNCHEON TO FOLLOW.
We will be starting a short series called "Sports and Christianity, How they Mix and How they don't" . We will also be spending some time in prayer for each other, for our friends, and for our school. Please make plans on coming and bring friends!!
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DOT DAEHNKE'S MEMORIAL SERVICE WILL BE SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4 AT 11am, WITH LUNCHEON TO FOLLOW.
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YOUTH SERVANT EVENT THIS SUMMER!!!!!! 8-12 GRADERS AND ADULT LEADERS WILL BE GOING TO JOPLIN, JULY 9-14!!!
All who want to go need to sign up. Directions on how to sign up are as follows:
1. Go to lutheranchurchcharities.org
2. Click on "volunteer in Joplin"
3. Go to bottom of page and click on "click here to register individually"
4. Fill out all of the required info. (Your group's name is St John's Warrenton, MO)
5. Click submit at the end of the page.
Let me know if you want to go. ALL ADULTS ARE WELCOME!!!!
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New worship service starting THIS Sunday, January 29 at 11am.
BELOW AREE SOME QUESTIONS THAT HAVE COME UP AND THE ANSWERS TO THOSE QUESTIONS:
1. Will we need to change the usher schedule? Not at this time. For now we are going to treat it as we would a Saturday service as far as that is concerned. If it takes off and we find that ushers are necessary for this service we will change it later in the year.
2. Will this change the other services in any way? NO. Nothing about our other services will change. The 11am service is just an additional option for those who want it.
3. What kind of music will there be? It will be a variety of songs, (children's songs, contemporary songs, familiar songs), but the music will be different than our traditional services
2. Will this change the other services in any way? NO. Nothing about our other services will change. The 11am service is just an additional option for those who want it.
3. What kind of music will there be? It will be a variety of songs, (children's songs, contemporary songs, familiar songs), but the music will be different than our traditional services
What we ask of you from now until January 29 is that you support this endeavor, that you invite people who would, for whatever reason, like to attend this type of worship, and that you pray for this endeavor and for our church in general that it would be blessed beyond measure in 2012.
If you have any skills or talents that you feel would benefit this service please contact me at 359-1061.
Then on January 29, COME to the service and participate.
The vision is that this will be a great blessing to our church and that it will fit the needs of young families, kids, teenagers, and the young at heart so that we can bring more people into the body of Christ this year than ever before.
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PASTOR NOW HAS TEXTING ON HIS PHONE
If you have any skills or talents that you feel would benefit this service please contact me at 359-1061.
Then on January 29, COME to the service and participate.
The vision is that this will be a great blessing to our church and that it will fit the needs of young families, kids, teenagers, and the young at heart so that we can bring more people into the body of Christ this year than ever before.
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PASTOR NOW HAS TEXTING ON HIS PHONE
I know it is about five years too late, but I have finally joined the 21st century's most used form of communication. If texting is the best way to communicate with you, I urge you to give me your cell phone number so I can communicate better with you in 2012. I am even thinking of sending out a "Bible Verse Text of the Day" to all who would want it.
I especially want to urge our young people to send me their cell numbers so I can better communicate with them.
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YOUTH GROUP STEAK DINNER AND AUCTION
***SAVE THE DATE*** The date of the Youth Group Steak Dinner and Auction has been set for Saturday, February 11, 2012. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. and dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. Please join us for a night of fun and fundraising. We will be having the old favorites: silent auction and 50/50 drawing as well as the new favorites: live auction, dessert dash, wine raffle, and the WILD HEARTS JACKPOT DRAWING where there is a chance to win $500.00.
Tickets for the WILD HEARTS $500 DRAWING are on sale now. Please ask a youth group member to get yours. The tickets are 1 for $10 but for an additional $10 you can get 10 more tickets and have 11 chances at winning!
The youth will begin selling dinner/auction tickets at the beginning of January in the narthex after services. Tickets are $15 per person. Bid only tickets are $5.00. You may also contact Marilyn to reserve tickets.
In order to guarantee that you get to sit with a special group of family or friends, you may want to consider purchasing a table of 8 for $120.
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A MOMENT OF GRACE FLORIST IS DONATING 10% oF EACH ST. JOHN'S MEMBER'S SALE BACK TO THE CHURCH
Each time you purchase flowers and other gifts from A MOMENT OF GRACE and tell them you are a member at St. John's, the church receives a tithe from them. A Moment of Grace is located at 511 N Hwy 47 and the phone number is 456-9334.
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PRAYERS: (If I have missed anyone please let me know.)
For THE RAUSCH FAMILY and all family and friend of KEN SUTOR (Lisa Rausch's dad) as he was called to his heavenly home early Sunday morning.
For HANK SCHMIDT who is hospitalized with a heart rate that is way too high.
For BETTY TAMELER who is recovering from knee replacement surgery at Delmar Gardens nursing home.
For ROSETTA JONES who is recovering from a broken hip at St Jospeh's hospital rehab.
For the FAMILY OF DOT DAEHNKE, as she passed away this past Thursday. Memorial service is still pending.
For ANNA HOELSCHER who is recovering at Jonesburg Nursing Home after falling and breaking her hip.
For MRS SISSON (1st grade teacher at Daniel Boone) AND HER NEW BABY, CHLOE, as they both grow stronger with each passing day. Baby Chloe has about 2 mor emonths in the hospital.
For KEN WAGNER who is home and is doing well, although he still has a LONG way to go.
For JONAS BORCHERT, grandson of Don Nolte, who continues to be up and down because of chemotherapy treatments.
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