DEVOTION:
Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, "This day is sacred to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep." For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the law. Nehemiah 8:9-10
One of the greatest stories that often goes untold is the story of the Israelites returning to Jerusalem and the reading of the law before the people. It is very interesting to see the reaction of the people to the hearing of the law. They wept. They sat in sackcloth and ashes. They mourned over their sin. They were horrified at how they had negelcted God and worshipped idols instead. They were ashamed of themselves as they heard what the Lord's will was for their lives and realized that they had not even begun to accomplish it. They were guilty and they knew it.
You can run away from your problems all you want. You can deny your guilt from sun up to sun down. You can fill your lives with stuff and never feel a sense of peace, because your sin hasn't been dealt with. You haven't confessed and turned from it and so the sickness is still there. You can mask the symptoms for a while, but eventually your sickness of sin will overtake you.
It is wonderful to be able to confess our sins to God, because we know that when we do we will be relieved of our anguish and guilt. We know that He has taken our sins to the cross and put them to death there. They are removed from us as far as the east is from the west.
Nehemiah, Ezra, and the Levites told the people not to mourn and weep. They knew that the Lord was being gracious and merciful to them. They knew that the Lord would provide a Savior from sin. When you go to church on SUnday (or whenever you go) you may get there with a heavy heart full of sin and disappointment, full of guilt and bitterness. Don't stay that way! Confess your sins to God! Give them to Him! Don't stay at hthe cross! Go to the empty tomb!It is empty because He isn't there! He has risen from the dead!
Rejoice that your sins are forgiven! Rejoice that they have been dealt with on the cross! Have peace in your heart and joy in your life! Christ is risen! he is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Prayer: Lord God, help me to quit dwelling ont he past. help me to live in thepresent and future forgiveness that You have won for me on the cross, so that Imay rejoice with all the rest of the saints. Amen!
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TUESDAY'S QUIZ: Who was Sanballat? He was the governor of the region around Jerusalem and was in direct opposition to Ezra and Nehemiah and the rebuilding efforts.
Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, "This day is sacred to the Lord your God. Do not mourn or weep." For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the law. Nehemiah 8:9-10
One of the greatest stories that often goes untold is the story of the Israelites returning to Jerusalem and the reading of the law before the people. It is very interesting to see the reaction of the people to the hearing of the law. They wept. They sat in sackcloth and ashes. They mourned over their sin. They were horrified at how they had negelcted God and worshipped idols instead. They were ashamed of themselves as they heard what the Lord's will was for their lives and realized that they had not even begun to accomplish it. They were guilty and they knew it.
You can run away from your problems all you want. You can deny your guilt from sun up to sun down. You can fill your lives with stuff and never feel a sense of peace, because your sin hasn't been dealt with. You haven't confessed and turned from it and so the sickness is still there. You can mask the symptoms for a while, but eventually your sickness of sin will overtake you.
It is wonderful to be able to confess our sins to God, because we know that when we do we will be relieved of our anguish and guilt. We know that He has taken our sins to the cross and put them to death there. They are removed from us as far as the east is from the west.
Nehemiah, Ezra, and the Levites told the people not to mourn and weep. They knew that the Lord was being gracious and merciful to them. They knew that the Lord would provide a Savior from sin. When you go to church on SUnday (or whenever you go) you may get there with a heavy heart full of sin and disappointment, full of guilt and bitterness. Don't stay that way! Confess your sins to God! Give them to Him! Don't stay at hthe cross! Go to the empty tomb!It is empty because He isn't there! He has risen from the dead!
Rejoice that your sins are forgiven! Rejoice that they have been dealt with on the cross! Have peace in your heart and joy in your life! Christ is risen! he is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Prayer: Lord God, help me to quit dwelling ont he past. help me to live in thepresent and future forgiveness that You have won for me on the cross, so that Imay rejoice with all the rest of the saints. Amen!
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TUESDAY'S QUIZ: Who was Sanballat? He was the governor of the region around Jerusalem and was in direct opposition to Ezra and Nehemiah and the rebuilding efforts.
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THURSDAY'S QUIZ: For what did Ezra speak when he read the law to the people?
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CATECHISM:
Question: What has the Holy SPirit done to bring you to faith?
Question: What has the Holy SPirit done to bring you to faith?
ANSWER: He has "called me by the Gospel, that is, He has invited and drawn me by the Gospel to partake of the spiritual blessings that are mine in Christ.
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CALENDAR:
CALENDAR:
Thurs- Ladies Aid setting up for Zone Rally All day
Fri- LWML ZONE RALLY
Sat- worship 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; worship 11am (Bill Rowe from Avenue of the Saints here to lead in worship); Elders meeting noon; High School youth Bowling 1pm; widows group 1pm
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NEWS:
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NEWS:
LADIES AID (LWML) ZOME RALLY HERE THIS FRIDAY!!!!
There will be around 100 women here this Friday all day, praising God, enjoying fellowship, learning more about Jesus, and gettinge xcited about the mossion of the church! it is called the Lutheran Women's Missionary League! It is a great group of women who have it in their minds and hearts to praise and honor God with works of service and support for God's workers here at home and throughout the world. They are also God's workers themselves, sharing the Gospel whenever and wherever they are able!
Come and check it out and see what it is all about this Friday!!
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AVENUE OF THE SAINTS IS HERE THIS WEEKEND!!
(Actually it is going to be just Bill Rowe, the guitar player, who will be here, because Cory Tobias is having surgery on his foot.)
Come and join us for some good contemporary Christian music in our 11am worship this Sunday! You won't be disappointed (unless you don't like good guitar and contemporary Christian worship music, then you will be very disappointed.)
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HELP NEEDED FOR THE ALL HALLOWS EVE EVENT
As you all have probably heard about our "All Hallows Eve Chili & Hot Dog Supper" AND "Trunk or Treat" being held on Wednesday evening, October 31st at St. John's, we are asking for your help by donating any kind of bagged Halloween candy so we can assemble 160 bags of "treats" for our supper attendees!
Our Little Lambs Pre-School will be outside for the Trunk or Treat for the kids to visit as well.
We would also like to offer the little treat bags to those attending the chili and hot dog supper inside so it would really help if you all could bring some bags of candy to church the next 3 Saturdays/Sundays when you come to worship.
We plan to assemble the bags on Monday, October 29th, so we need to have all the candy donations by no later than Sunday Oct. 28th.
We will put a box for the candy collection in the narthex marked "ALL HALLOWS EVE SUPPER".
Our outreach ministry has helped many this year and being the end of the budget year, we will appreciate your help with the expenses of this event.
Thank you so much for your help in reaching out to the kids in our community to teach them more about Christ and how Halloween began in the first place and to fill their little tummies with goodies along with their hot dogs!
***Don't forget too that there is a pumpkin carving/decorating contest that night. 3 prize ribbons will be awarded for carved pumpkins that are brought to church ON Wed. Oct. 31 by 4 PM. The will be for: 1. The funniest 2. The scariest 3. The best
They will be used for centerpieces on the dinner tables!! You may take your pumpkins home with you after the event ends at 8 PM.
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HAYRIDE AND BONFIRE!!!! MAKE PLANS TODAY TO JOIN US!!
Where? Ray and Kay Stark's property on Firetower Rd.
When? Saturday October 20, 5-9pm
Who? EVERYONE!! Bring friends!!
There will be hotdogs and marshmallows to roast and water and soda to drink! There will also be umpkinf ace painting for kids!!
Sign up on the sheet in the narthex to let us know you're coming!!!
Bring a flashlight, long sticks for raosting marshmallows and hotdogs, folding chairs for your family, and a blanket in case it is chilly!!
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SPECIAL VOTERS MEETING COMING UP MONDAY, OCTOBER 15 at 7pm!! Chili Supper starts at 6:30pm
Make plans to be at church next Monday! You already received your letter about it!
Come and be a part of something special and exciting as we make plans for the future of our church and to help our children and grandchildren grow in the faith!!!
It is very important especially that parents and all young adults be there!!!
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CIRCUIT REFORMATION SERVICE ON SUNDAY OCTOBER 28 AT 2PM!!!!
St. John's is hosting our 2nd annual circuit wide Reformation service on Sunday, October 28!!! St Paul's, Jonesburg; St. Paul's, New Melle; Grace; Wellsville, Trinity, Wellsville; Christ, Augusta; Immanuel, Wentzville, and Trinity, Troy will all get together to join our voices and hearts in praising our Lord for His grace and truth which was exclaimed and brought back to the forefront during the Reformation!
Come and join with the rest of your Lutheran brothers and sisters in Christ as we celebrate!!
Toni Schwartz is leading a mass choir that day! The choir will practice at 1pm at church.
Call pastor at 359-1061 for more info!!
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TRUNK OR TREAT AND CHILI SUPPER ON HALLOWEEN AT CHURCH!!!
Come to church on Halloween???? SOunds kind of weird doesn't it? But, just so you know, that is where the best food, candy, and pumpkins are going to be! Come and hav esupper with us at 5pm and then go around to all of the trunks in the parking lot and fill your bags up with candy!!!
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VENDOR FAIR--- CHRISTMAS MARKET
Little Lambs is hosting a Vendor Fair on Saturday, December 1 from 8am-2pm.
This is for all of those folks who have home based (part time businesses) like Avon, Scentsy, tupperware etc.
First come, first reserve-- no duplicate vendors please.
$20 per booth/table (tables provided)
All proceeds go to building fund.
Please contact Lisa Rausch or Karin Klaustermeier at 456-2888 ext. 4 or email at lrausch@centurytel.net or karin.klaustermeier@hotmail.com
This is a great opportunity to get gifts for Christmas or to make a little extra cash to buy those gifts
This is for all of those folks who have home based (part time businesses) like Avon, Scentsy, tupperware etc.
First come, first reserve-- no duplicate vendors please.
$20 per booth/table (tables provided)
All proceeds go to building fund.
Please contact Lisa Rausch or Karin Klaustermeier at 456-2888 ext. 4 or email at lrausch@centurytel.net or karin.klaustermeier@hotmail.com
This is a great opportunity to get gifts for Christmas or to make a little extra cash to buy those gifts
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LITTLE LAMBS HAS A FEW OPENINGS IN BOTH THE THREE AND FOUR YEAR OLD CLASSES!! THEY ARE EXPANDING!!
Call the church office 456-2888 and ask to talk to Lisa Rausch or Karin Klaustermeier for further info.
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SUNDAY MORNING FELLOWSHIP REFRESHMENT SIGN UP!!
We need folks to sign up to bring donuts!! Please sign up on the sheet on the bulletin board right outside the kitchen!! If you partake of the donuts every week and haven't brought any, maybe it's your turn!!
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PARENTING CLASS EVERY SUNDAY AT 9:45
Could you use some help in learning how to deal with your children? Want to have fun, laugh, and get some encouragement at the same time? Come to the "From Me to We" class in the Sunday school room closest to the closet this Sunday and grow!
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STEWARDSHIP SPOLIGHT FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER IS PATRIOT PACKAGES
As we all know, our military forces are still spread throughout the world. Many of our loved ones are deployed and arond the world and on bases throughout our own country. Ptriot Packages, formerly known as G4U "Goodies for You" is a small yet effective way that we can care for all those men and women in a very real and practical way. A group of people get together once a month to fill care packages to send out. These packages have very specific items that these soldiers request, that are scarce or nonexistent where they are.
PARENTING CLASS EVERY SUNDAY AT 9:45
Could you use some help in learning how to deal with your children? Want to have fun, laugh, and get some encouragement at the same time? Come to the "From Me to We" class in the Sunday school room closest to the closet this Sunday and grow!
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STEWARDSHIP SPOLIGHT FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER IS PATRIOT PACKAGES
As we all know, our military forces are still spread throughout the world. Many of our loved ones are deployed and arond the world and on bases throughout our own country. Ptriot Packages, formerly known as G4U "Goodies for You" is a small yet effective way that we can care for all those men and women in a very real and practical way. A group of people get together once a month to fill care packages to send out. These packages have very specific items that these soldiers request, that are scarce or nonexistent where they are.
What they need from us is money so that they can buy the specific items they need. As always, make checks payable to St. John's and in the memo line write "patriot Packages". Also, as always, this should be above and beyond your regular offerings.
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PRAYERS:
PRAYERS:
For MARILYN FOSTER'S NIECE, HEATHER. She has a very rare spine condition, which has resulted in a spinal fluid leak. They are trying for the 2nd time to do a "blood patch" to stop the leak. Yesterdays try was unsuccessful and they are going to try again today. The only specialist in the US that treats these conditions is out of town until next week, the doctor that is caring for her has only done 1 of these before.
For CHRISTIAN WENZEL, art teacher at Blackhawk Middle School, who fell out of his tree stand while deer hunting on Saturday and broke his sternum and many ribs. He has many things wrong with him and is in critical condition in the hospital.
For the FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF 11 YEAR OLD ALURA WINEBARGER, who passed away this past Sunday morning from complication of the Flu.
For MARY SUE TOEDEBUSCH as she recovers from a very bad infection and as she continues to deal with very bad rheumatoid arthritis and other health troubles.
For BOB LAMPEN, Karin Klaustermeier's dad, as he begins a new chemotherapy treatment next Week.
For WALT SCHIRR as he will undergo surgery on Oct. 18 to clip a nerve in his brain to take care of his vertigo.
For ED, neighbor to the Fosters, who found out he has cancer yesterday.
For MARK GROEBER, who is recovering well from shoulder surgeryor MARY SUE TOEDEBUSCH
For ED, neighbor to the Fosters, who found out he has cancer yesterday.
For MARK GROEBER, who is recovering well from shoulder surgeryor MARY SUE TOEDEBUSCH
For FAMILY AND FRIENDS DOLORES DEBLAZE as she passed from death to life early Sunday morning.
For TONY PERRICONE who is recovering well from knee surgery at home today.
For JOYCE SCHIEN who is hospitalized with pneumonia.
For STEVE, a friend of Tony and Sandra Perricone, who is a husband, and a father of 2 and is undergoing tests for fluid on the brain.
For JOSIAH TULEY, great nephew of my friend Cindy Schwada. Josiah is about 2 years old, a beautiful blonde with sparkling blue eyes. This baby has a tumor
on his brain.
on his brain.
For CAL TAMELER who is recovering from eye surgery.
For DON TURNURE who is going to have to have his hip replaced on October 22.
