Thrivent Builds Kick-off to Rehab Project -This Saturday

 

Hi,

Here is some info above Thrivent building with Habitat for Humanity. I think I will be out of town but in case anyone is interested.

Denise

Dear St. Charles area volunteers and Financial Representatives,

 

You are invited to attend a Thrivent Builds kick-off event for our first  rehab project with Habitat for Humanity of St. Charles County! The dedication will take place on Saturday, March 10 at 9am. It will be held at the home site at 2501 Nettie Drive, St. Charles, MO 63301.

 

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans is providing $43,450, or 55% of the home costs, and the Central St. Charles, North St. Charles, and W. St. Charles-Warren County chapters have engaged local volunteers to donate additional funds and volunteer their time to work alongside the partner families to build these homes. What a great accomplishment to celebrate!

 

Please pass along this invitation to others and let me know if you plan to attend! We hope to see you there!

 

Charli M Kreienkamp

Lutheran Engagement Specialist

St. Louis Heartland Region

390 S. Woods Mill Rd, Ste 100, Chesterfield, MO 63017

Direct: 314-783-4214

Fax: 314-783-3000

Email: charli.kreienkamp@thrivent.com

 

 

Connect with us! Thrivent.com • Thrivent.com/facebook • Thrivent.com/twitter

 

This message contains confidential information intended only for the above addressees and may contain information that is proprietary or legally privileged. If you received this message in error, please notify us and delete the original message. You must obtain permission from Thrivent Financial to use its logo on all materials. Failure to do so could result in legal action.

 

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

DEVOTION:  Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. Matthew 4:1


As might be expected, ancient Jericho is a pile of rubble.

Standing at the top of those ruins, a Bible student will recall how Joshua, having crossed the Jordan, brought those "walls a-tumblin' down." Further reading will speak of the time Jesus gave sight to two blind men and brought salvation to the house of Zacchaeus.

Still, the most impressive lesson a visitor can learn at Jericho comes from Mount Quarantania. Baffled by the name? Don't be. Quarantania is not mentioned in Scripture, at least not in so many words.

Quarantania is the mountain where tradition says Jesus was tempted. That tradition may or may not be true. All we can say for certain is that Jesus was led out into the wilderness to be tempted. No, that's not right. We can truthfully say Jesus was led out into the wilderness to successfully resist temptation.

Resisting temptation. That's something at which all of us have failed. My temptation may not be yours, and yours may not be mine. Satan doesn't care. He's got the experience and the patience that enables Him to find everyone's weakness. That's why Scripture says that "all have sinned ...." (Romans 3:23a).

All have sinned except Jesus. All have fallen before temptation except our Savior.

For us, Jesus resisted the easy path: the seductive road Satan laid out before Him. Now, by His perfect life, His absolute obedience to the Father and a rejection of Satan's temptations, all who believe on Him are forgiven and saved. That is the lesson to be learned at Jericho.

But there is one other thing I would like you to see as you gaze up on the wilderness of Mount Quarantania. Looking ahead, you will only see barren, dry ground without much, if anything, to sustain life. Now, do an about-face and look to the green palm and fig trees of Jericho.

There, in a way that most westerners cannot understand, we can see the difference water can make to a dry and infertile place.

Little wonder Jesus, the Resister of temptation, the Defeater of devil and death, calls Himself the Living Water, the Water of Life.

It was His way of saying that He, like water, changes death to life. It was His way of reminding us that water changes everything.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, for me and my salvation You successfully resisted Satan's temptations. May I live my life giving thanks for You who turned the desert of my day-to-day life into something truly blessed. In Your Name. Amen.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:  When the army was to go to battle what was the priest's job?  Deuteronomy 20:1-4  Going to War -the Priest shall come forward and address the army.  Sounded like a pep rally     "Hear, O Israel, today you are going into battle against your enemies.  Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be terrified or give way to panic before them.......  etc, etc.
 
Dianne Hance is our new one day champ!!
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________                                                                                  
CATECHISM:
Question: What is the difference between the Law and the Gospel?
Answer:
a. The Law teaches what we are to do and not to do; the Gospel teaches what God has done, and still does, for our salvation.
b. The Law shows us our sin and the wrath of God; the Gospel shows us our Savior and the grace of God.
c. The Law must be proclaimed to all people, but especially to impenitent sinners; the Gospel must be proclaimed to sinners who are troubled in their minds because of their sin. ________________________________________________________________________________________________
CHURCH CALENDAR 
Tues- quilters 9-2; Bible study 11:30-12:15
Wed- Supper 5:30; bells 6; worship 7; choir 7:30
Thurs-
Fri- Bible study at hendershot's 7pm
Sat- worship 5pm
Sun- Bible Study 8; worship 9;Sunday School and Bible class 10:15; WORSHIP 11am; elders noon
________________________________________________________________________________________________
NEWS: 
WEDNESDAY SUPPER AT 5:30 AND WORSHIP 7pm

Supper- 5:30---Baked potato bar w/ all the toppings, salad, rolls, dessert

Worship- 7pm-  Peter comes to talk to us about his false allegiance

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

BIBLE 101: A NEW ONLINE "INTRODUCTORY" BIBLE STUDY IS AVAILABLE FOR ALL MEMBERS OF ST JOHN'S!!! 

15 PEOPLE SIGNED UP SO FAR!!!

 

 

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!!! 

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

PRAYERS: (If I have missed anyone please let me know.)

For THOSE WHO LOST LOVED ONES in the tornadoes this past week. 

 

For THOSE IN LAKE ST LOUIS who lost their homes in an apartment fire last week.

 

For MISSIONARIES AND PASTORS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD who are dealing with severe opposition, imprisonment and even the threat of death because of the faith.

 

For JEANETTE KOEHLER who is recovering after surgery to repair her broken hip.

 

For DOLORES DEBLAZE as she will soon begin treatments for cancer.  She is undergoing more tests this week.

 

For HANK SCHMIDT who is going through radiation treatments for stage 2 lung cancer.

   

For JONAS BORCHERT, grandson of Don Nolte, who continues to be up and down because of chemotherapy treatments.   

       

Monday, March 5, 2012

DEVOTION: And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." Luke 2:10-11

In the fall of 2011, Mr. Bruce Wurdeman, LHM's executive director, and I visited Israel and Palestine. Upon our return he asked me to write a series of Lenten devotions which center on the Savior and some of the places we saw. This week's devotions fulfill his request. It is my prayer that the Lord will use them to bless you as well as those who will be traveling with us to the Holy Land in the fall of 2012. In Him, Pastor Ken Klaus

Years ago I met a woman whose husband had just died at home after a prolonged illness. She shared with me how, while the rest of the world prepared for Christmas, she had administered pain medication and spent sleepless nights by his side.

I said, "That had to be doubly difficult for you, especially during the holidays."

Then she told me how her neighbors, all Christians, had kept their Christmas lights burning 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They told her it was their way of letting her know that "We're thinking of you. We're praying for you. We're by your side, even if we're not at your house. We want you to see our lights, so you can be reminded that Jesus, the light of the world, is with you, too."

With tears the lady said, "God's light can punch holes in the darkest nights of the soul."

More than 2,000 years ago, some Bethlehem shepherds were given a similar message.

In many ways, they -- like the man in the story above -- were cut off. True, they may have derived some consolation in knowing King David had served as a shepherd in their fields, but the truth is this: their job, the sheep smell, and prejudice made them unwelcome in polite society.

Today you can still go to those rock-encrusted pastures. They have not changed much over the centuries. That is why it doesn't take much imagination to see those shepherds sitting by a fire, enduring a lonely, dark night. That's the way it would have been if God hadn't intervened.

But the Lord did intervene and He punched holes in the shepherds' darkness. At first there was one angel, and then there were a multitude.

What did they say? "Good news ... great joy ... for you ... a Savior."

With the birth of the Christ Child, the Lord was fulfilling an ancient promise made to a world that had been plunged into darkness by sin's disobedience. A Child placed in a Bethlehem manger was God's way of punching holes in the darkness of the shepherds, a man dying at home, in our own special darkness.

When the shepherds went to Bethlehem and saw this thing, this Baby, their Savior, they knew they had been privileged to observe something special.

Even so, gazing down at that Child, they could be forgiven for not knowing all He would endure to win their salvation. Looking at His little hands, they would not have known those hands would be pierced by nails. Watching His chest rise and fall in peaceful sleep, they would not have anticipated Him being stabbed by a Roman spear.

These pains and many others Jesus endured, so we might be forgiven of our sins and saved from hell. These hurts He suffered, so we might have good news ... great joy ... a Savior ... so we might have holes punched in our darkness.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord for sending Your Son to be my Savior I give thanks. May I be assured that His life, suffering, death and resurrection have punched holes in my darkness. For this good news and great joy I praise you. In Jesus' Name. Amen.  
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:  What must happen to a bull that gores a man or a woman to death, and what about the owner of the bull?  The bull must be stoned to death but the owner will not be held accountable.  On the other hand, if the bull has had the habit of goring and the owner has been warned but does not keep the bull penned up, then both the bull and its owner shall be stoned to death, however if payment is demanded, he may redeem hi sown life by paying whatever is demanded.  Exodus 21:28-32  (Not sure who the winner was, I deleted the email.)
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
TODAY'S QUIZ:  When the army was to go to battle what was the priest's job? 
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________                                                                                  
CATECHISM:
Question: Where alone does God offer the forgiveness of sins?
Answer: God offers the forgiveness of sins only in the Gospel, the good news that we are freed from the guilt, the punishment, and the power of sin, and are saved eternally because of Christ's keeping the Law and His suffering and death for us.
________________________________________________________________________________________________
CHURCH CALENDAR 
Mon- confirmation 5-6:15; hs youth leave for paintball at 6:30
Tues- quilters 9-2; Pastor doing chapel at LHS at 9:40; Bible study 11:30-12:15
Wed- Supper 5:30; bells 6; worship 7; choir 7:30
Thurs-
Fri- Bible study at hendershot's 7pm
Sat- worship 5pm
Sun- Bible Study 8; worship 9;Sunday School and Bible class 10:15; WORSHIP 11am; elders noon
________________________________________________________________________________________________
NEWS: 
HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH LEAVE FROM CHURCH AT 6:30 TONIGHT TO GO PLAY PAINTBALL. 
Dress warm and wear a lot of clothes with padding in them!!!
 ______________________________________________________________________________________________________

NEXT WEDNESDAY SUPPER AT 5:30 AND WORSHIP 7pm

Supper- 5:30---Baked potato bar w/ all the toppings, salad, rolls, dessert

Worship- 7pm-  Peter comes to talk to us about his false allegiance

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

BIBLE 101: A NEW ONLINE "INTRODUCTORY" BIBLE STUDY IS AVAILABLE FOR ALL MEMBERS OF ST JOHN'S!!! 

15 PEOPLE SIGNED UP SO FAR!!!

 

 

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!!! 

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

PRAYERS: (If I have missed anyone please let me know.)

For THOSE WHO LOST LOVED ONES in the tornadoes this past week. 

 

For THOSE IN LAKE ST LOUIS who lost their homes in an apartment fire last week.

 

For MISSIONARIES AND PASTORS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD who are dealing with severe opposition, imprisonment and even the threat of death because of the faith.

 

For JEANETTE KOEHLER who is recovering after surgery to repair her broken hip.

 

For DOLORES DEBLAZE as she will soon begin treatments for cancer.  She is undergoing more tests this week.

 

For HANK SCHMIDT who is going through radiation treatments for stage 2 lung cancer.

   

For JONAS BORCHERT, grandson of Don Nolte, who continues to be up and down because of chemotherapy treatments.   

       

C.H.U.R.C.H. Ministry Alert - Help Needed Please!!!!

Good Morning to Everyone!

 

This is REALLY proof of God working through all of us today!!

 

We have received notice of a newlywed couple that lost everything they had in that horrible apartment fire in Lake St. Louis yesterday.

 

In doing research on them I found sooooo many ways that they are "related" to us as Lutheran Christians!!

 

Their names are Dalton & Lindsey (nee: Chrismer) Moore.

 

Lindsey is an elementary school teacher in Wright City.  This is her first year of teaching.

 

They have only been married 3 weeks.  They were married at Immanuel Lutheran in Wentzville!

 

They lost everything including all their wedding presents in the fire.  They are living back with Lindsey's parents until they can get another place and all it takes to set up housekeeping again.

 

A firefighter was able to rescue their dog, Grace!  She is currently a patient at the O'Fallon Animal Hospital.  Still not in good shape but holding her own.  BTW, Lindsey just found the dog a few months ago wandering on the highway and brought her home with her and named her "Grace".  A Lutheran thing I suppose!

 

In doing more research, by talking to Sue Bauer at Immanuel - and they had not heard about this early this morning yet so she was glad I called - Dalton just transferred to Immanuel Wentzville from Immanuel Lutheran Church in Springfield, Illinois.  I also talked with his former pastor, Darrell Debowey and he had some great things to tell me about Dalton.  He confirmed Dalton into the Lutheran faith.  When Dalton was searching for a "church" he found the Lutheran church there in Springfield and talked with Pastor Debowey.  Pastor told me that by the time Dalton began the confirmation class, he had already bought a copy of The Book of Concord and had read it!  Pastor Debowey was shocked, happy and delighted to have Dalton in that class! 

 

Pastor Debowey thinks that Lindsey has been trained as a Lutheran school teacher.  Guess Wright City is where she could find a position though, if that is true.

 

OK, so here is where we come in.  Since they have to replace EVERYthing, the principal at Lindsey's school thought that cash donations would be good.  I would think gift cards to Wal-Mart would work too.  So, if you are able to help Dalton & Lindsay, please put your donation in an envelope plainly marked FOR DALTON & LINDSEY MOORE (and Grace!).   Then drop it off with Marilyn in the church office and we will see that the Moores receive the help they so desperately need. 

 

If you aren't able to help financially at this time, please remember them in your prayers.  That IS important too!

 

Please direct any questions to Sandy Robine at snsrobine@centurytel.net or by calling her at 636-456-4147.    Please DO NOT CLICK on REPLY to reach Sandy!

 

Thank you and God's peace on your day!

 

Your St. John's Board of Outreach & Evangelism

Sandy Robine

Molly Hendershot

prayer request for family of Frank Nordwald

Brett Nordwald's Grandpa Frank passed away this morning at 7am. Thank you for prayers for him and his family.

 

Ruth Walters

Administrator

Warren County Health Dept. 104 W Booneslick Rd

Warrenton MO 63383

636-359-3244

 

 

Statement of Confidentiality: The information contained in this message may be privileged and confidential and protected from disclosure. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, or an employee or agent responsible for delivering this message to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by replying to the sender. Thank you.

 

Thursday, March 1, 2012

DEVOTION: (Jesus said) "Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life." Revelation 2:10

The topic for today's Daily Devotion was called to my attention by Rev. Nabil S. Nour of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Armour, South Dakota.

"Narrow-minded, antagonistic Christians are responsible for most of the world's problems."

That was the argument I recently overheard when I was on a plane traveling to a speaking engagement. At the end of the trip, I apologized for my eavesdropping and encouraged the speaker to look at the story of Youssef Nadarkhani of Iran.

If you have never heard of Nadarkhani, please allow me to share. Nadarkhani, a pastor from Rasht, Iran, was arrested in October of 2009, when he tried to register the house church, where he is the pastor. Eventually, the authorities decided he was guilty of apostasy, that is, he had converted to Christianity from Islam.

In Iran, the punishment for converting to Christianity is death by hanging.

Now the truth is this: although Nadarkhani's family is Muslim, he was an unbeliever when the Holy Spirit called him to faith in Jesus as his Savior. That was a fact the courts decided to ignore. Nadarkhani was convicted and sentenced to death.

It was then the world's Christian community began to get involved in protesting the severity of the verdict. Only then did the Ayatollah Larijani, the head of Iran's court system, come forward to ask Nadarkhani's case be retried.

According to those who have followed the case and the Ayatollah, this recommendation was mainly made so the world will forget Nadarkhani and get involved with other matters.

In the meantime Iranian authorities will continue to exert any and all pressure to win Nadarkhani back to Islam. If the past sets any precedent, Nadarkhani will be told his wife also has been arrested (she was jailed for a while last year) and that his two boys will be taken from him and placed in an Islamic family. (This also happened, albeit temporarily.)

So that is the story of Nadarkhani; it is also the story of many pastors and Christian laity, who are publicly sharing the Savior's story of salvation in the Islamic nations of the Mideast.

This is why I would like to enlist your help in prayer.

Let us ask the Lord to help brothers and sisters like Youssef to stand firm in the faith and the salvation that has been given them through Jesus' life, death and resurrection. Further, please ask the Lord to bless and keep safe those of The Lutheran Hour staff, who are responsible for broadcasting the Savior's story into those Mideast nations where sharing Jesus' plan of salvation has been outlawed.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, send Your holy angels to minister to and strengthen Christians who are suffering for the Savior. Keep them faithful until death, so they may receive the crown of life. Lord we also pray for the Lutheran Hour Ministries staff, who are telling the lost of what Jesus has done to save them. Keep them all in Your care and under Your protection. In Jesus' Name. Amen. 
 
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:   What would happen to someone who would kidnap someone and either sell him or still have him when he is caught in the Old Testament?  He was to be put to death (Sandy Robine is the winner for the third day in a row.)
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
TODAY's QUIZ: What must happen to a bull that gores a man or a woman to death, and what about the owner of the bull?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CATECHISM:
Question: What is actual sin?
Answer: It is every act against a commandment of God in thoughts, desires, words, or deeds.  
________________________________________________________________________________________________
CHURCH CALENDAR 
Thurs- Jonesburg nursing home worship 10:30
Fri- H.S. youth 30 hour famine starts at noon; High school lock in begins at 7pm
Sat- worship 5pm; 30 hour famine ends 6pm
Sun- Bible Study 8; worship 9;Sunday School and Bible class 10:15; WORSHIP 11am 
________________________________________________________________________________________________
NEWS: 

POTLUCK WITH JAN LUCAS THIS SATURDAY, MARCH 3 AT NOON!!

A long time member of St. John's and friend to many, Jan Lucas, is moving.  Some of her friends are having a going away potluck luncheon for/with her this Saturday at noon at church.  Please bring your favorite dish to share. 

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

NEXT WEDNESDAY SUPPER AT 5:30 AND WORSHIP 7pm

Supper- 5:30---Baked potato bar w/ all the toppings, salad, rolls, dessert

Worship- 7pm-  Peter comes to talk to us about his false allegiance

________________________________________________________________________________________

HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH NEWS

 

LOCK IN AND 30 HOUR FAMINE Friday, March 2 and Saturday, March 3. 

All high school youth are invited to this lock in!!!!!!  Bring your friends and bring lots of stuff to do: video games, movies, board games, whatever else you can think of.  

 

We will stop eating after lunch on Friday and go without eating until 6pm on Saturday. 

 

We are doing this to raise money for starving children throughout the world.  World Vision is the group we will be donating the money to.  

 

PAINTBALL!!!  MONDAY NIGHT March 5??????

Every first Monday night of the month we are gong to do something fun.  In march we are doing paintball if it is available.  I still have to see if they do evening paintball, but if they do, IT IS ON!!!

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

BIBLE 101: A NEW ONLINE "INTRODUCTORY" BIBLE STUDY IS AVAILABLE FOR ALL MEMBERS OF ST JOHN'S!!! 

15 PEOPLE SIGNED UP SO FAR!!!

 

 

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!!! 

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

PRAYERS: (If I have missed anyone please let me know.)

For JEANETTE KOEHLER who is recovering after surgery to repair her broken hip.

 

For DOLORES DEBLAZE as she will soon begin treatments for cancer.  She is undergoing more tests this week.

 

For A GOOD FRIEND OF CHRISTY WINN who has been diagnosed with cancer for the fifth time and is pregnant. 

 

For HANK SCHMIDT who is going through radiation treatments for stage 2 lung cancer.

   

For JONAS BORCHERT, grandson of Don Nolte, who continues to be up and down because of chemotherapy treatments.   

       

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

DEVOTION:
Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Isaiah 5:20

The topic for today's Daily Devotion was called to my attention by Reverend Kurt Klaus of Messiah Lutheran Church in Mounds View, Minnesota.

Most of you don't own a copy of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).

If you have never seen or heard of the DSM, let me explain. The DSM is put out by the American Psychiatric Association. Between its covers the DSM has descriptions, symptoms and criteria for diagnosing mental disorders.

One news source said the DSM is the "bible" for mental health medicine.

Having given that explanation, I thought you might want to know there is a new edition of the DSM in the works and when it is published next year, it will be making some major changes.

For example, have you lost and are mourning a loved one? In previous versions of the DSM that was normal and understandable. The new DSM ignores the cause of your loss and says only that you have a "depressive illness."

Or do you have a child who doesn't do as you ask? It used to be your child was just being defiant, but now he has a mental condition. He has "oppositional defiant disorder."

It gets worse. The DSM will be saying serial rapists and sex abusers have a "paraphilic coercive disorder." So what's the big deal, you ask? Simply this: these sex offenders could escape punishment, if they can point to a disorder and say, "It's not my fault. I've got a condition."

Now I'm certainly not going to disparage the excellent work done by counselors, especially Christian counselors. On the other hand, there is a great danger when evil becomes good and good becomes evil. It will be a tragedy for individuals and for society if people no longer feel responsible for their actions or the wrong they have done ... if there is such a thing as "wrong."

In contrast to the direction the DSM seems to be going, stands the Savior. Not only does the Lord recognize sin and guilt, He has done something about it.

So that we might be rescued from the condemnation that results from the evil we have done, the Lord Jesus came into this world. By taking our place under the Law, He has made it possible for all who believe on Him as Savior, to be forgiven and adopted into the Lord's family of faith.

And you should know, dear devotioner, that being forgiven of our wrongdoing by God is a far better thing than to pretend there is no such thing as wrongdoing at all.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, there is no question that my sins have earned Your condemnation and wrath. That You have elected to offer Your Son as my ransom is an unexpected gift of grace. May I, and all the world, cling fast to the Life-Preserver, Jesus. This I ask in His Name. Amen.

PS - More than 11,000 health professionals have already signed a petition calling for the development of the fifth edition of the DSM to be stopped and reevaluated. 
 
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:  Who is the "avenger of blood" as spoken about several times in the OT? 

So it looks like the avenger of blood is a close relative of any deceased that met their death by accident or intent.

 http://www.bible-study.org.uk/bible-stories-old-testament/avenger-of-blood-bible-story.htm

 
Sandy Robine is the winner!
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
TODAY'S QUIZ: What would happen to someone who would kidnap someone and either sell him or still have him when he is caught in the Old Testament?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CATECHISM:
Question: What has original sin done to human nature??
Answer: Original sin
a. has brought guilt and condemnation to all people;
b. has left everyone without true fear and love of God, that is, spiritually blind, dead, and enemies of God;
c. causes everyone to commit all kinds of actual sins. 
________________________________________________________________________________________________
CHURCH CALENDAR 
Wed- Supper (pork loin, stuffing, corn, applesauce, rolls, dessert) 5:30; bell practice 6; worship 7; choir 7:30
Thurs- Jonesburg nursing home worship 10:30
Fri- H.S. youth 30 hour famine starts at noon; High school lock in begins at 7pm
Sat- worship 5pm; 30 hour famine ends 6pm
Sun- Bible Study 8; worship 9;Sunday School and Bible class 10:15; WORSHIP 11am 
________________________________________________________________________________________________
NEWS: 

POTLUCK WITH JAN LUCAS THIS SATURDAY, MARCH 3 AT NOON!!

A long time member of St. John's and friend to many, Jan Lucas, is moving.  Some of her friends are having a going away potluck luncheon for/with her this Saturday at noon at church.  Please bring your favorite dish to share. 

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

THIS WEDNESDAY SUPPER AT 5:30 AND WORSHIP 7pm

Supper- 5:30---Roasted pork loin, stuffing, corn, applesauce, rolls, dessert

Worship- 7pm-  JUDAS TALKS ABOUT WHAT HE DID TO BETRAY JESUS 

________________________________________________________________________________________

HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH NEWS

 

LOCK IN AND 30 HOUR FAMINE Friday, March 2 and Saturday, March 3. 

All high school youth are invited to this lock in!!!!!!  Bring your friends and bring lots of stuff to do: video games, movies, board games, whatever else you can think of.  

 

We will stop eating after lunch on Friday and go without eating until 6pm on Saturday. 

 

We are doing this to raise money for starving children throughout the world.  World Vision is the group we will be donating the money to.

 

 

JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES IS TOPIC FOR NEXT MONDAY'S MEETING

Next Monday evening at our regular meeting we will be learning about Jehovah's Witnesses.  If you have a friend who is Jehovah's Witness bring them with you so that we can learn straight from the source. 

 

 

PAINTBALL!!!  MONDAY NIGHT March 5??????

Every first Monday night of the month we are gong to do something fun.  In march we are doing paintball if it is available.  I still have to see if they do evening paintball, but if they do, IT IS ON!!!

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

BIBLE 101: A NEW ONLINE "INTRODUCTORY" BIBLE STUDY IS AVAILABLE FOR ALL MEMBERS OF ST JOHN'S!!! 

15 PEOPLE SIGNED UP SO FAR!!!

 

 

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!!! 

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

PRAYERS: (If I have missed anyone please let me know.)

For JEANETTE KOEHLER who fell and broke her hip in two places as well as her wrist.

 

For VERNON HEICHELBECH who is hospitalized at the VA in Columbia with severe dehydration and complications due to parkinsons.

 

For DOLORES DEBLAZE as she will soon begin treatments for cancer.  She is undergoing more tests this week.

 

For A GOOD FRIEND OF CHRISTY WINN who has been diagnosed with cancer for the fifth time and is pregnant. 

 

For HANK SCHMIDT who is going through radiation treatments for stage 2 lung cancer.

   

For JONAS BORCHERT, grandson of Don Nolte, who continues to be up and down because of chemotherapy treatments.   

       

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

DEVOTION:
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouragin one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.  Hebrews 10:24-25
 
Worship attendance.....  It is a phrase that I have both taken joy in and also hated over the years.  Going to a Lutheran school as a kid every Monday morning the teacher took church attendance records.  It was wonderful if you were in church, but if you missed there was trouble, especially if you missed more than a week or two in a row.  It was a requirement for us to go to church. 
 
As a pastor, it has continued to be a love/hate relationship with that phrase.  It is wonderful to see the church full!  I am overjoyed almost ot the point of tears on Christmas Eve and Easter when the church is packed.  I often catch myself saying, "If it could only be this way every Sunday"  Instead of enjoying God's full house on that day, I dread the following week when there will be, most likely, half of the people there. 
 
Worship attendance and "meeting together" isn't a new issue.  It was already an issue during the time of the writing of the book of Hebrews.  It has been an issue since the time right after Jesus ascended into heaven. 
 
Still, what does the writer say today in our reading?  Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together.... but encouragin one another.... 
 
If we were to go on in this section of scripture, we would see that the warning gets more and more severe, even arning against the loss of salvation for those who spurn the Son of God.  It is indeed a serious thing. 
 
 
So to day I want to consider what we can do to stir one another up.  How can we encourage one another to continue to meet together on Saturday nights and Sunday mornings?  What can I, as your leader, be doing to keep you faithful and diligent in your worship attendance and in your fellowship with the rest of the saints?  If you have any ideas, or encouragements for me, please don't hesitate to call or email.  I'd love to hear from you! 
 
Prayer:  Lord God, help us to consider how to spur one naother on to love and good works so that your house may be full and your name honored and praise at St. John's and every other place.  Amen. 

 
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:  What were some of the restrictions on the king of Israel according to the Lord.  (Hint: The answer is in Deuteronomy.)
 
he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses; forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you: 'Ye shall henceforth return no more that way.' Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away; neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold. His heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left; to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he and his children, in the midst of Israel  Deuteronomy 17:16-17

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
TODAY'S QUIZ: Who is the "avenger of blood" as spoken about several times in the OT? 
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CATECHISM:
Question: What is original sin?
Answer: Original sin is that total corruption of our whole human nature which we have inheritied from Adam and through our parents.
________________________________________________________________________________________________
CHURCH CALENDAR 
Tues- Quilters 9-2; Bible study 11:30
Wed- Supper (pork loin, stuffing, corn, applesauce, rolls, dessert)
Thurs- nothing
Fri- H.S. youth 30 hour famine starts at noon; High school lock in begins at 7pm
Sat- worship 5pm; 30 hour famine ends 6pm
Sun- Bible Study 8; worship 9;Sunday School and Bible class 10:15; WORSHIP 11am 
________________________________________________________________________________________________
NEWS: 

THIS WEDNESDAY SUPPER AT 5:30 AND WORSHIP 7pm

Supper- 5:30---Roasted pork loin, stuffing, corn, applesauce, rolls, dessert

Worship- 7pm-  JUDAS TALKS ABOUT WHAT HE DID TO BETRAY JESUS 

________________________________________________________________________________________

HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH NEWS

 

LOCK IN AND 30 HOUR FAMINE Friday, March 2 and Saturday, March 3. 

All high school youth are invited to this lock in!!!!!!  Bring your friends and bring lots of stuff to do: video games, movies, board games, whatever else you can think of.  

 

We will stop eating after lunch on Friday and go without eating until 6pm on Saturday. 

 

We are doing this to raise money for starving children throughout the world.  World Vision is the group we will be donating the money to.

 

 

JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES IS TOPIC FOR NEXT MONDAY'S MEETING

Next Monday evening at our regular meeting we will be learning about Jehovah's Witnesses.  If you have a friend who is Jehovah's Witness bring them with you so that we can learn straight from the source. 

 

 

PAINTBALL!!!  MONDAY NIGHT March 5??????

Every first Monday night of the month we are gong to do something fun.  In march we are doing paintball if it is available.  I still have to see if they do evening paintball, but if they do, IT IS ON!!!

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

BIBLE 101: A NEW ONLINE "INTRODUCTORY" BIBLE STUDY IS AVAILABLE FOR ALL MEMBERS OF ST JOHN'S!!! 

15 PEOPLE SIGNED UP SO FAR!!!

 

 

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!!! 

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

PRAYERS: (If I have missed anyone please let me know.)

For JEANETTE KOEHLER who fell and broke her hip in two places as well as her wrist.

 

For VERNON HEICHELBECH who is hospitalized at the VA in Columbia with severe dehydration and complications due to parkinsons.

 

For DOLORES DEBLAZE as she will soon begin treatments for cancer.  She is undergoing more tests this week.

 

For A GOOD FRIEND OF CHRISTY WINN who has been diagnosed with cancer for the fifth time and is pregnant. 

 

For HANK SCHMIDT who is going through radiation treatments for stage 2 lung cancer.

   

For JONAS BORCHERT, grandson of Don Nolte, who continues to be up and down because of chemotherapy treatments.   

       

help for Jan Lucas solved!

Looks like there will be more than enough h3elp for Jan Lucas.  Thank you to all who volunteered to help her!!
 
Peace be with you all!

Monday, February 27, 2012

DEVOTION:
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

By no stretch of the imagination could Grayce and Clarence Dwyer be considered "spring chickens."

The couple, who hail from Madison, New Jersey, are both 100 years old, and their marriage has celebrated its 71st anniversary.

Now, as is often the case, other people, younger people, want to know, "To what do you contribute your success in life?" Grayce and Clarence have a number of answers. First, they would have to concede their Irish ancestors have blessed them with some pretty healthy genes.

Of course, that explanation only speaks to their longevity -- not the success of their life together.

As I said, the Dwyers have a number of answers. For example, they would say they come from similar backgrounds: both are from immigrant families, and both lost their fathers in the 1917 flu epidemic.

But there's more. They contribute that success to their mothers, who taught them what was important, to things like taking care of each other and your family, surrounding yourself with good people, realizing life isn't always easy, and always having a faith which will help you through the tough times.

Now I suppose you could go to other centenarians who have celebrated 70 years together and get answers different than those provided by the Dwyers.

You might get other answers, but you won't necessarily get better answers.

The Dwyers have found that even though life has ups and downs, good times and bad, their Lord, their Savior will always be there. He whose love includes a Bethlehem stable, the Calvary cross and the empty tomb of Resurrection Sunday has love which can cover the first 100 years of your life and longer, the first 70 years of your marriage and longer.

It did for the Dwyers, and it will for you.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, while it is impossible for us to know if our lives will be long or short, filled with great happiness or grinding difficulty, we can be sure that You who sacrificed Your Son to win our salvation, will always be with us. For this we offer you our unending thanksgiving and praise. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

PS - Although it has little to do with the devotion, thought you might want to know -- Grayce celebrated Valentine's Day by baking a cake to share with Clarence.

 
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:  When a person sins unintentionally in regard to any of the Lord's holy things what is he to bring as a penalty?
 

"If anyone commits a breach of faith and sins unintentionally in any of the holy things of the Lord, he shall bring to the Lord as his compensation, a ram without blemish out of the flock, valued1 in silver shekels,2 according to the shekel of the sanctuary, for a guilt offering. Leviticus 5:15

________________________________________________________________________________________________________
TODAY'S QUIZ: What were some of the restrictions on the king of Israel according to the Lord.  (Hint: The answer is in Deuteronomy.)
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CATECHISM:
Question: How many kinds of sin are there?
Answer: There are two kinds of sin: original and actual.
________________________________________________________________________________________________
CHURCH CALENDAR 
Mon- confirmation 5-6:15; youth group 6:30
Tues- Quilters 9-2; Bible study 11:30
Wed- Supper (pork loin, stuffing, corn, applesauce, rolls, dessert)
Thurs- nothing
Fri- H.S. youth 30 hour famine starts at noon; High school lock in begins at 7pm
Sat- worship 5pm; 30 hour famine ends 6pm
Sun- Bible Study 8; worship 9;Sunday School and Bible class 10:15; WORSHIP 11am 
________________________________________________________________________________________________
NEWS: 

THIS WEDNESDAY SUPPER AT 5:30 AND WORSHIP 7pm

Supper- 5:30---Roasted pork loin, stuffing, corn, applesauce, rolls, dessert

Worship- 7pm-  JUDAS TALKS ABOUT WHAT HE DID TO BETRAY JESUS 

________________________________________________________________________________________

HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH NEWS

 

LOCK IN AND 30 HOUR FAMINE Friday, March 2 and Saturday, March 3. 

All high school youth are invited to this lock in!!!!!!  Bring your friends and bring lots of stuff to do: video games, movies, board games, whatever else you can think of.  

 

We will stop eating after lunch on Friday and go without eating until 6pm on Saturday. 

 

We are doing this to raise money for starving children throughout the world.  World Vision is the group we will be donating the money to.

 

 

JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES IS TOPIC FOR NEXT MONDAY'S MEETING

Next Monday evening at our regular meeting we will be learning about Jehovah's Witnesses.  If you have a friend who is Jehovah's Witness bring them with you so that we can learn straight from the source. 

 

 

PAINTBALL!!!  MONDAY NIGHT March 5??????

Every first Monday night of the month we are gong to do something fun.  In march we are doing paintball if it is available.  I still have to see if they do evening paintball, but if they do, IT IS ON!!!

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

BIBLE 101: A NEW ONLINE "INTRODUCTORY" BIBLE STUDY IS AVAILABLE FOR ALL MEMBERS OF ST JOHN'S!!! 

15 PEOPLE SIGNED UP SO FAR!!!

 

 

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!!! 

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

PRAYERS: (If I have missed anyone please let me know.)

For JEANETTE KOEHLER who fell and broke her hip in two places as well as her wrist.

 

For VERNON HEICHELBECH who is hospitalized at the VA in Columbia with severe dehydration and complications due to parkinsons.

 

For DOLORES DEBLAZE as she will soon begin treatments for cancer.  She is undergoing more tests this week.

 

For A GOOD FRIEND OF CHRISTY WINN who has been diagnosed with cancer for the fifth time and is pregnant. 

 

For HANK SCHMIDT who is going through radiation treatments for stage 2 lung cancer.

   

For JONAS BORCHERT, grandson of Don Nolte, who continues to be up and down because of chemotherapy treatments.