The Lutheran Hour: March 23, 2014

-------- Original message --------

From: Lutheran Hour Ministries

Date:03/22/2014 9:15 PM (GMT-06:00)

To: revklaus@hotmail.com

Subject: The Lutheran Hour: March 23, 2014

Sermon Text for March 23, 2014   "Surprise, Surprise" #81-29 Presented on The Lutheran Hour on March 23, 2014 By Rev. Gregory Seltz, Lutheran Hour Speaker (What's This "Rebirth By Water And The Spirit?") Copyright 2014 Lutheran Hour Ministries Text: John 4:5-42 Christ is risen. He is risen, indeed and faith in Him refreshes us with God's living water for eternal life. Amen. When was the last time someone surprised you in a good way? When was the last time that someone did something for you that you didn't expect, that you didn't think they would do, that actually was a benefit to you, and they didn't expect anything in return? Doesn't happen often, does it? Well, it did happen to this family at Disneyland. It was a hot day, which wasn't a surprise. They were in California, after all. It was the third day of their dream vacation, one they had saved for, for a long time. John and Sherrie had always wanted to bring their two boys, ages 5 and 7, to Disneyland. And now, here they were. But, wow, was it crowded!  They soon discovered in the summer heat that this dream destination could also be a huge parenting nightmare as they tried hard to keep track of their boys in the large crowd. One look in the wrong direction and those eager boys could easily become separated among the many people visiting the park that day. They, of course, had coached their boys when they arrived, laying out the rules: 1) Stay close to us. 2) If we say stop, then stop! 3) Hold my hand in the crowd. 4) Don't talk to strangers. It was this last rule that especially made them nervous. They had never been to California before, but had seen plenty of TV shows that made one thing clear to them: be careful where you go and who you talk to.  But, they were at Disneyland. What trouble could there be "in this place where dreams are made of"? Well, that's what they thought until they saw him coming toward them. As they walked toward a ride under the blazing afternoon sun, Sherrie's heart began to race as she saw a large, muscular, amber-skinned young man with a goatee, tattoos, and a bandana wrapped around his head walking straight toward her. Exactly the person her mom had warned her about, exactly the kind of person they thought they should avoid. She looked desperately over her shoulder to see if John was still with her and she began to stop and turn toward her husband when she heard the man's voice. "Excuse me, ma'am. Your son...." What about my son? She thought frantically to herself as her mind raced in fear. What does he want with my son?  "Ma'am, your son's feet are bare. He must have taken off his shoes somewhere, and the ground is hot, just thought you might want to know." She looked down at her five-year old who was indeed barefooted and hopping uncomfortably on the blazing hot cement of the walkway.  "Oh, no!" Sherrie said. Lifting her son up into her arms and feeling the heat radiating through her son's feet. "I hadn't noticed!" She looked at the stranger, now standing there smiling, pleased to have been of help, and she wondered about the feelings she had about him just moments before. "Thank you," she said. "No problem," he said. "Glad to help. Enjoy your day," And he walked off. She looked wide-eyed at her husband, and then at her son as he said to her, "Mommy, you talked to a stranger..."  "Yes, I did, son. Once in a while, it's okay for mommies and daddies, not children, to talk to strangers." (And she was thinking, even though I did break one of these rules, boy, am I sure glad that I talked to that stranger today.) Surprise, surprise. Blessings that come when you're not expecting them, from people from whom you wouldn't expect them; opportunities arising where you didn't think they would. That doesn't happen in this world. But that kind of thing happens a lot when you engage the Lord Jesus in and through His Word because He is not merely a benevolent Stranger, He is the Lord of the Universe, the Savior who died on the cross for you and me, and He loves us with an everlasting love! When you get to know Him by faith, you will not only be surprised, you'll be graced, blessed, forgiven, redeemed! In our text for today, John talks about just such a surprise encounter with a surprising blessing. It happened to a woman at a well with a Stranger on a hot day. This particular Stranger shouldn't have approached her, shouldn't have talked to her, at least according to the community rules that had been set up between Jews and Samaritans. But this was no ordinary Stranger. This was Jesus, not just the Savior for the Jews, but for all people. Jesus crossed over the man-made walls of bigotry and hatred, meeting this woman where she was, not only for help for her aching back or parched throat, but for real healing and hope for her lonely, life-parched heart. Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water." What a moment in this woman's life, face to face with Jesus Christ. I wonder if this woman ever got the "don't talk to strangers" lecture from her parents. Actually, it didn't matter for her, because generally nobody wanted to talk to her, not even those from her own village. The other women in town didn't approve of her life, so she found herself trying to avoid them all rather than deal with their scorn day after day. That's why she is at the well under the noon-time sun instead of in the morning when the others come to the well.  But Jesus approaches her anyway. And she did what she always did, whether it was a stranger or someone from the town; she looked down, she stayed quiet. Maybe He wouldn't even notice her and surely He wouldn't talk to her, because there were rules about such things. You see, to keep the peace, there were rules against Jewish men like Him talking to Samaritan women. So she was extremely surprised when this Man approached her openly and asked for a drink. She was surprised that they began to talk and, surprise, surprise; Jesus had something to bring her, something to bless her with. He came with news of God's promises fulfilled, news that would end the separation between God and sinful people and to end bitterness that divides families and communities and nations. Put yourself in this woman's place. Would you have received Jesus the way she did? Would you have let Him speak pointedly about your life? Would you have let Him have His say as she did? Or would you have put up the walls of separation, the walls of unrepentance and self-pity, preferring to live life even miserably because, well, it's the life totally in your control.  Human beings are notorious for building emotional and spiritual walls of separation. When someone hurts us, rather than dealing with it, calling for repentance, unleashing the power of forgiveness, we would rather simmer in our feelings of disrespect and anger, putting up emotional walls preventing any sort of healing. And when there are problems in our communities, it's much easier to wall it out or wall it in, to make sure that it isn't in our backyard rather than engage our neighbors together as partners in real community solutions. Walls, emotional fortifications, barriers; as broken human beings, we're very good at turning in on ourselves because of sin and fear, and keeping people out of our lives, even keeping God at bay.  Human walls don't come down easily either. In northern Peru, the Inca civilization has disappeared off the landscape except for one important feature, the walls. Even though everything else of this civilization of people is gone, their walls still stand. This is the bad thing about human walls, even when they are supposed to, they don't come down easy. But as Jesus demonstrates in this lesson, that's no way to live. That's the way of emotional thirst, the way of a soul that's parched, dehydrated, slowly deteriorating. That's no way to live, but it's certainly the way to die; and Jesus won't have any of that, not for this woman, not for you, and not for me.  He calls her to repentance, to trust in Him, to receive from Him the living water that literally brings life and salvation. The woman knew that this Jesus was the One who would cross every chasm, overcome every barrier to bring her eternal life and salvation. He's that for us, too. There's nothing greater in this life than the wall that separates all people from God because of sin. That wall is high, it's deep, it's impenetrable. But that is exactly the wall that Jesus Christ overcame when He died on the cross. That is exactly the barrier that He broke through so that you could have access to God as your Father and not as your judge! Wow! Surprise, surprise! Instead of being hampered by the silly rules of sinners, rules that say "Don't associate with this group or that group." Rules that said "Don't waste your time talking to that insignificant person in society," Jesus smashes through those faulty rules of sinful bigotry to bring life, reconciliation, healing, and peace not just to a few, but to everyone who believes in Him.  Jesus said to her; He says to us, "Everyone who drinks of this water (the water of Jacob's well) will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." So, my friend, are you at the same place like the woman in our text who realizes how parched her soul is, how empty her life is on her own terms? Are you ready to say with her, "Lord, give me that living water"? The Lord Jesus is calling you to repentance of your sin today, to be honest with the emptiness in life that's there because you've been running from the God, the God who loves you and cares about you. He's offering you real life, living water as a gracious gift. That's what faith in Jesus is all about. But to believe, to be satiated with Christ's living water of forgiveness, life, and salvation, receiving the love of One who overcame everything so that we might live; we not only have this life for ourselves, we have this for the sake of others in our lives too. With such a persevering love from God, how can we but not do all that we can to climb every mountain, descend through every valley, strive to overcome any obstacle to share the love of Jesus Christ with those God brings into our lives? Think about it; in this lesson Jesus was willing to "Go there," to go to the place that people told Him, warned Him not to go. He was willing to go to the place of the hated Samaritans to bless them.  For us too, He was willing to go where sinners needed Him to go; literally, the hell of the cross, so that we might be blessed, redeemed, saved in His Name! We don't just get to receive that. Like the woman in our text, now we get to give that away to others as Christ has indeed given all that to us! You know the first thing that this woman did after her encounter with Jesus was to go back to her people and to share what she had received from Jesus. Incredibly, the people that had shunned her, the people that had ostracized her, the people that had made her life miserable; she goes back to them, for them, because she has met Jesus! With the Living Water of the love of Christ, she could go there for others. Well, that same Jesus Christ has loved you too. You can go there for others as well.  You know, one of the ways that people often put up barriers is emotionally. When they're struggling with something or someone, they just keep it to themselves, even if they really can't handle it. One of the ways that they keep people from penetrating that barrier is to say, "Don't go there. Don't go there." Have you ever been talking to a friend or a family member and heard (well, maybe have even said it to yourself), "Oh, just don't go there!" You know, that's out of bounds, that's too personal, that's too painful. Well, surprise, surprise, to those you love and care for. Even if it may be difficult, or even if it seems impossible, you can go there for them! And, remember why you go there for others. It is not to judge, to criticize, but to imitate the love of Jesus Christ, a love that can engage people right where they are and bless them. You can go there because you have a Savior who has gone there for you and promises to love those people who are dear to you with a love that is beyond your and our imagination. As our Savior, Jesus wouldn't let any man-made fears or barriers restrict Him from bringing His love and salvation to this woman or to us.  There are places in this world that no human being should have to go. There are places that no human being should have to live, but they do. Who would imagine that a community of people who have been pushed to the margins of society, who have been walled off from polite society, imagine this, that even they could know the joy and peace of Jesus Christ even there? Well, there is such a town. There is a town on the margins of the city of Cairo, a town built atop an active landfill. That's right, a garbage dump. In fact, it's called "Garbage City" in Cairo, Egypt, a longtime home to an impoverished, marginalized community of Coptic Christians for whom life is only going to get harder.  The so-called Zabbaleen have been the trash collectors of Cairo for generations. The fathers and their sons go out into the city and collect the garbage in beat-up pickup trucks or donkey-drawn carts. They bring it back to their community, where the women meticulously sort through it all. They recycle an incredible amount, as much as 80 percent, selling whatever is salvageable. Particularly poor families rifle through the trash for food to eat. They have created a complex, labor-intensive process for getting the most out of what other people just throw away.  The Christians of Egypt have been historically repressed, and the Zabbaleen are a potent symbol of their station. They were pushed to the outskirts of the city hard up against the Moqattam Mountain. Even when they tried to build a church to worship their Savior, a Savior who would even journey to the dump so that they might be saved, the authorities tried to stop it. Did that stop them from receiving and sharing Christ? No way. Instead of building on the dump then, the Zabbaleen dug out worship space in the adjoining caves. It now boasts a huge amphitheater that can seat thousands. In fact, the "Cave Church" is now a tourist attraction. It is magnificent and spiritually vital, built on the faith of those who believe in a Savior who was willing to come for them, to go there for them.  Asked by the Voice of America about the future of Garbage City a few weeks ago, resident Adel Gad el-Rab said, "We are the garbage collectors, but we live on a mountain of faith." Do you wish to know this Jesus, the One who can rescue you and me from the posh palaces of prosperity or from the garbage dumps of hopelessness and despair? Are you at a point in your life when you know that you need the living water that only God can give? Well, this is the day; this is the day for you to receive God's blessings to you in Christ by faith. When you put your faith in Him, when you become wise unto salvation and life in and through His Word, and when you begin to live for and love others the way that Jesus Himself loves you, all I can say is that you are in for the surprise of your eternal life. God bless you. Amen! LUTHERAN HOUR MAILBOX (Questions & Answers) for March 23, 2014 Topic: What's This "Rebirth By Water And The Spirit?" ANNOUNCER: Once again, Questions and Answers with Pastor Gregory Seltz. I'm Mark Eischer. Pastor, in the story of Nicodemus Jesus talks about the need to be born of "water and the Spirit." That sounds a whole lot like baptism. So, what exactly is baptism? SELTZ: Mark, our listener picked up on a powerful blessing from the text last week...namely Jesus promising His blessing to all those who are "washed in the power of the Holy Spirit."  ANNOUNCER: And when Jesus gives or promises something, it's always a gift of His grace to us, right? SELTZ: Exactly. Remember Jesus' last command in Matthew to "Go make disciples, by baptizing them and teaching them!" So already here, Jesus alludes to that. In John 3, being "born again," is to be made alive by the Holy Spirit, through Christ's gifts! Baptism is one of those gifts.  ANNOUNCER: It's also pointing us to that place where water and the Holy Spirit are joined together, namely, Holy Baptism. SELTZ: Again, Matthew 28 says it, "That's right." ANNOUNCER: And it's not the water itself or even the amount of water that gives baptism its power. SELTZ: No way, to Nicodemus, to us, the Spirit is Christ's gift through the water. He takes ordinary water to bring blessing through ordinary things to ordinary people like you and me. But like we said, the power of that "washing" is the power of the Name of God in the Spirit. ANNOUNCER: I recall a pastor who once said, "Baptism always works because God is the One Who's doing it." What exactly does God do in baptism? SELTZ: Think of it this way; God finds us and God claims us through the Gospel. The Gospel is God's Good News of salvation through the work of Jesus for us. And that message graciously comes to us in visible and audible words by the power of the Holy Spirit to bring us to faith in this Jesus.  ANNOUNCER: And that Word-in all of its forms-delivers Christ and His grace to us. SELTZ: Absolutely, It's Good News we can hear, touch, taste, even feel as it's washed all over us! ANNOUNCER: Well, who then should be washed with this Good News? SELTZ: Remember Jesus, again in Matthew 28, He said that "all nations" should be baptized. Our Lord's sincere desire is that everyone enjoy the benefits of His baptism. ANNOUNCER: Why are there so many differences concerning baptism among Christians? SELTZ: Well, some unfortunately focus on the method of baptism or the amount of water for various reasons. But that really isn't a key issue. As we said earlier, it is the power of the Name connected to the water that makes baptism what it is. Now, we shouldn't ever be stingy about applying God's grace to someone, in fact we should lavishly apply water with the Name. But, in a pinch, even a little dab will do the Name just fine.  ANNOUNCER: What about that issue of whether to baptize adults or children? SELTZ: All I can say NOW is that those who baptize only adults look at baptism as something "believers do for God." Those that baptize infants, children, and adults emphasize that in baptism, God is principally at work. In fact, He's coming to bless and redeem "all sinners." And there's no age limit to that. Scripture clearly connects the forgiveness of sins with baptism. So, when we're talking about forgiveness, we're talking about justification - something that all people need regardless. ANNOUNCER: Is that what Jesus infers when He talks about the need to be "born again?" SELTZ: Yes, it's part of it. Justification is what God did in and through the work of Jesus, to save us. He took the righteousness of Christ and simply and graciously credited it to us as a gift, justified us. Think of a courtroom scene. You know why you're there standing before the judge. You're guilty as sin. You're guilty of sin. And you await the judge's/God's just verdict... ANNOUNCER: But at that moment God looks at us and declares us innocent of all charges.  SELTZ: Right, Someone has taken your place! Taken your punishment...But in order for the Judge to look at you and say "innocent" He had to look at the One who took your place and say "Guilty." That's Jesus, and that verdict was really, historically pronounced on the cross when Jesus paid the full penalty of our sin. So, for the sake of Jesus we are declared righteous. That's justification. ANNOUNCER: And to be "born again of water and the Spirit"? SELTZ: That's people receiving God's "life giving, life restoring news" personally. The apostle Paul even says that in baptism we put on Christ. We now wear His righteousness. You know, in today's fashion-obsessed society you are often identified by what you wear. So, the baptized child of God can now even make a fashion statement for Christ receiving God's gift of "new clothes," and then loving one's neighbor because that's what a person born again of water and the Spirit, that's what they do.  ANNOUNCER: Thank you Pastor Seltz, this has been a presentation of Lutheran Hour Ministries. Music Selections for this program: "A Mighty Fortress" arranged by Chris Bergmann. Used by permission. "We Believe That This Is Jesus" by Mark Sedio. Concordia Publishing House "Lord of Our Life and God of Our Salvation" From The Concordia Organist (© 2009 Concordia Publishing House) "Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word" From The Concordia Organist (© 2009 Concordia Publishing House) The Lutheran Hour: A New Look ... But the Same Message. Learn More! Print this sermon Sign up for LHM news Daily Devotions Visit lutheranhour.org Change my email Contact Us subscribe / unsubscribe / visit our website 660 Mason Ridge Center Dr. St. Louis, MO 63141 1-800-876-9880

Prayer request

Prayer request for Christy Winn's friend Dana's son. He is in the ICU with bilateral pneumonia and sepsis. They are discussing intubation him today. 

Prayer request

-------- Original message --------

From: Lois Boeger

Date:03/17/2014 4:01 PM (GMT-06:00)

To: jeremy klaustermeier

Cc: stjohnswarrenton@googlegroups.com

Subject: Re: Fri. Mar. 14 , 2014

Hello Everyone,

Please keep Carol Boeger's family in your prayers as her Granddaughter Christine and husband Matt mourn the loss of their unborn daughter. Pray for God's peace and comfort at the family's loss.

Lois Boeger

On Fri, Mar 14, 2014 at 8:07 AM, jeremy klaustermeier <revklaus@hotmail.com> wrote:

This is the last daily email and devotion till Monday, March 24.
 
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
By Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour

Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin!  Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM). 

 
"Witnessing for Christ"
March 14, 2014
(Jesus said) "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." Acts 1:8
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

The salvation story of Jesus Christ reaches around the world. So that the readers of our Daily Devotion may see the power of the Savior on a global scale, we have asked the volunteers of our International Ministry Centers to write our Friday devotions. We pray that the Spirit may touch your day through their words.

In Christ, I remain, His servant and yours,
Kenneth R. Klaus
Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour

In the book of Acts we see after the disciples had received the Holy Spirit they began to use their lives to witness boldly for the Christ.

Luke, the author of this book, recorded the most important factors that brought about growth in the early church. The individual who studies this book will understand that the Lord used ordinary people to build His Kingdom on this earth.

In 1 Corinthians 1:28 Paul says, "But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong." God used sinful and pathetic people to spread the Gospel by enabling them by the power of the Holy Spirit.

We see wonderful changes in Peter, the disciple who doubted the Lord when he attempted to walk on the Sea of Galilee; the same disciple who denied Jesus three times in the high priest's courtyard is transformed. After he had received the power of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost Day, Peter stood up with the other remaining disciples, raised his voice, and addressed the crowd.

For the first time the world heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ being preached. This was the first Gospel meeting held in the early church.

Truly, God has called each of us to a purpose. We have become His children not by an accident but according to His will and heavenly plan. In our Baptism we received the power of the Holy Spirit to witness for Christ in our family, church and community. God wants our faith to be a living, active thing. He knows that faith without any kind of expression is a dead thing.

Recently, we heard a sad news story from the media about the killing of three people in a house in Colombo. They were all from the same family.

The police investigated this incident and finally found the killer. The fellow who was caught had murdered his own father, mother and his sister, so he might collect their insurance money to help him escape some financial problems. This is the kind of thing which happens every day. Look around and you will see people are becoming very cruel. We are living in a very dangerous world.

All of this gives evidence to the fact that people need Jesus to provide salvation and forgiveness from their sins. They need the Savior. Understandably, if they do not know the Gospel, they will never receive the Holy Spirit, who can lead them to faith and forgiveness.

To reach out to them is why we do our best to share the Savior. He came to seek and save the lost, and now He has asked us to share that news with every time and every nation.

My brothers and sisters, now is the time for sharing the Christ of our lives. In this endeavor we are servants of the Holy Spirit. As the Lord has said, "Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit says the Lord Almighty" (Zechariah 4:6b).

May God bless you to be His witness in this world.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, we thank You for calling us as Your children and trusting us to be witnesses for You in this world. Lord, please help and guide us, so we may show Your love to others in every aspect of our lives. This we ask in Jesus' Name. Amen.

Biography of Author: The author of today's devotion is Mr. Sathiyabalan who has served as director for the Sri Lankan office of Lutheran Hour Ministries since it opened in 2001. Over the years hundreds of non-Christians have been reached by our programs amongst which are listed, Weuses, a Bible Correspondence Course (BCC) in Sinhalese, Tamil and English languages; Equipping the Saints (ETS) workshops; youth gatherings; and special events in fellowship with local congregations. Known in-country as Lanka Hope Media, this ministry center operates in Colombo. It uses literature displays and rallies as an effective way to reach people in this country of more than 20 million people. Staff and volunteers also use videos, musical events, and puppet shows to promote their programs and to teach people about Jesus Christ. You can check out what's happening in Sri Lanka by going to its blog at lhmsrilanka.wordpress.com.

To learn more about our International Ministries, click here or visit www.lhmint.org.
In Christ I remain His servant and yours,


Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour^®
Lutheran Hour Ministries
 

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___________________________________________________________________________________________________
THURSDAY'S QUIZ: Who was Boaz's mom?  Rahab the prostitute
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CALENDAR:
Fri- Bible Study and Fellowship at Hendershots 7pm; Pastor and family leave for vacation
Sat- NO BIBLE CLASS at 4pm; worship 5pm; DARBY DAY at 6PM! 
Sun- worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school and Adult Bible Class 9:45
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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS COMING WEEKEND
Acolytes- 8:30- Patrick Schaumberg; 11- Ryan Spoede
Altar guild- Set up- Cheri' Hofeldt; Clean up- Sandy Robine
Greeters- 8:30- Don and Donna Sherman; 11- Dan and Lisa Rausch
Communion Assistants- Sat Rich Talbert; 8:30- John Hachtel; 11- Dave Winter
Lay Readers- Sat- Marcia Sevier; 8:30- Sandra Perricone;  11am- Sophie TInnin
Sat. Pianist- Tim Sherman
8:30 Ushers- Dave Winter, Gary Scott, Larry Schulze, Scott Schulze
Projectors- NO PROJECTORS THIS WEEK!!
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
NEWS:
DARBY DAY THIS SATURDAY EVENING AT 6PM!!
Come enjoy some fun and fellowship!  Men, get your top hats and women come in the most outlandish, biggest, most decorated hats you can find!!  Please call 456-2888 if you are coming!_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
NEXT WEDNESDAY'S MENU AND WORSHIP TEXT:

A big thank you to the Robines, Brunsons, Sutherlands, and Landwehrs for doing such a wonderful job on our dinner on Wednesday!  These families work very hard to make these dinners enjoyable for you all!  Give them a big thank you!
 
 
Come on Wednesday, March 19 at 5:30 to enjoy Turkey, stuffing, green beans and dessert!!!!

Come for worship at 6:30 to hear Pastor Grund preach on David's Psalm 121  "My Help Comes from the Lord"
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DENISE SCHLESSELMAN WILL HAVE THE PETITION PAPERS TO SIGN THIS WEEKEND FOR THE CHILDREN'S EDUCATION INITIATIVE!!!  Please stop by the table after worship to sign them!___________________________________________________________________________
LITTLE LAMBS ENROLLMENT IS OPEN FOR ST. JOHN'S MEMBERS AND FAMILIES!!!
There is a $30 nonrefundable registration fee.  Students must be 3 or 4 years old by Aug 1.  Enrollment for the community will begin April 1.  For more info call Lisa Rausch or Karin Klaustermeier.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
PASTOR NEEDS SPONSORS FOR HIS BIKE ACROSS KANSAS!!
I will be biking across part of Kansas, about 250 miles in all, on June 7-9 to raise money for Leadachild.org.  Lead a Child is a LCMS recognized service organization that provides funding for kids to attend schools, many of them Christian schools, in third world countries.  It has provided A LOT for ministries and missions to help kids who would otherwise have NO EDUCATION in places like Guatemala, Kenya, Uganda, Mexico, and many other places.  Please consider supporting me so that we can continue to support children throughout the world!  As of January 1, I am also on the board of directors for this organization.
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BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK:  TAKING A BREAK FROM THE STORY FOR A WEEK!!!
Pastor Terry Grund will be here to preach and lead Bible study!  He will be having a Bible study on the GOSPEL reading- John 3:1-17.

___________________________________________________________________________________________
PRAYER REQUESTS:  (If you have a prayer request please reply to this email or call me at 636-359-1061)FOR THE FAMILY OF JACOB BOEDEKER who lost his life tragically in the motorcycle/bus accident yesterday.  The Boedeker family has had several kids that have and will be attending Little Lambs.
 
For SCOTT CLARK who has an infection in his finger that has gone all the way to the bone after a severe cut from a saw.
 
For CAROL HINKLEMAN, a friend of Cheri Verme (Lil WInter's daughter) who is in ICU with spinal meningitis.
 
For ED AND MARGARET KOHRS who are mourning the loss of Margaret's son in law.  

 

FOR NANCY SPINIOLAS who fell and tore a muscle in her arm and had to get 21 stiches in it.

 

FOR ERNA VAN HORN who was put on hospice care yesterday due to inoperable and untreatable cancer.

FOR WENDELL AND MARY ANN ROEHRS who have decided to move down to the Lake of the Ozarks after losing their home to a fire.
 
THOSE WITH CANCER, the many among our family and friends who are struggling with cancer.

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING FOR A NEW BABY GIRL TO MARK AND JAYME VESSEL, an "almost" member of St. John's.

COUGAR CLIFFORD, 15 year old who had an accident playing in the snow on Jan 7 and broke his neck.  He has undergone extensive surgery and is recovering but is still unable to move his legs.  
 
JONAS BORCHERT, grandson of Don Nolte, as he continues to deal with cancer in his lungs.
 
DONNA HEITGERD recovering at Scott and Lani Heitgerd's from a broken hip.
 






           

 

 

 

 

 

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Lois Boeger

lois.boeger@gmail.com

Fri. Mar. 14 , 2014

This is the last daily email and devotion till Monday, March 24.
 
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
By Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour

Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin!  Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM). 

 
"Witnessing for Christ"
March 14, 2014
(Jesus said) "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." Acts 1:8
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

The salvation story of Jesus Christ reaches around the world. So that the readers of our Daily Devotion may see the power of the Savior on a global scale, we have asked the volunteers of our International Ministry Centers to write our Friday devotions. We pray that the Spirit may touch your day through their words.

In Christ, I remain, His servant and yours,
Kenneth R. Klaus
Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour

In the book of Acts we see after the disciples had received the Holy Spirit they began to use their lives to witness boldly for the Christ.

Luke, the author of this book, recorded the most important factors that brought about growth in the early church. The individual who studies this book will understand that the Lord used ordinary people to build His Kingdom on this earth.

In 1 Corinthians 1:28 Paul says, "But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong." God used sinful and pathetic people to spread the Gospel by enabling them by the power of the Holy Spirit.

We see wonderful changes in Peter, the disciple who doubted the Lord when he attempted to walk on the Sea of Galilee; the same disciple who denied Jesus three times in the high priest's courtyard is transformed. After he had received the power of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost Day, Peter stood up with the other remaining disciples, raised his voice, and addressed the crowd.

For the first time the world heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ being preached. This was the first Gospel meeting held in the early church.

Truly, God has called each of us to a purpose. We have become His children not by an accident but according to His will and heavenly plan. In our Baptism we received the power of the Holy Spirit to witness for Christ in our family, church and community. God wants our faith to be a living, active thing. He knows that faith without any kind of expression is a dead thing.

Recently, we heard a sad news story from the media about the killing of three people in a house in Colombo. They were all from the same family.

The police investigated this incident and finally found the killer. The fellow who was caught had murdered his own father, mother and his sister, so he might collect their insurance money to help him escape some financial problems. This is the kind of thing which happens every day. Look around and you will see people are becoming very cruel. We are living in a very dangerous world.

All of this gives evidence to the fact that people need Jesus to provide salvation and forgiveness from their sins. They need the Savior. Understandably, if they do not know the Gospel, they will never receive the Holy Spirit, who can lead them to faith and forgiveness.

To reach out to them is why we do our best to share the Savior. He came to seek and save the lost, and now He has asked us to share that news with every time and every nation.

My brothers and sisters, now is the time for sharing the Christ of our lives. In this endeavor we are servants of the Holy Spirit. As the Lord has said, "Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit says the Lord Almighty" (Zechariah 4:6b).

May God bless you to be His witness in this world.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, we thank You for calling us as Your children and trusting us to be witnesses for You in this world. Lord, please help and guide us, so we may show Your love to others in every aspect of our lives. This we ask in Jesus' Name. Amen.

Biography of Author: The author of today's devotion is Mr. Sathiyabalan who has served as director for the Sri Lankan office of Lutheran Hour Ministries since it opened in 2001. Over the years hundreds of non-Christians have been reached by our programs amongst which are listed, Weuses, a Bible Correspondence Course (BCC) in Sinhalese, Tamil and English languages; Equipping the Saints (ETS) workshops; youth gatherings; and special events in fellowship with local congregations. Known in-country as Lanka Hope Media, this ministry center operates in Colombo. It uses literature displays and rallies as an effective way to reach people in this country of more than 20 million people. Staff and volunteers also use videos, musical events, and puppet shows to promote their programs and to teach people about Jesus Christ. You can check out what's happening in Sri Lanka by going to its blog at lhmsrilanka.wordpress.com.

To learn more about our International Ministries, click here or visit www.lhmint.org.
In Christ I remain His servant and yours,


Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour^®
Lutheran Hour Ministries
 

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___________________________________________________________________________________________________
THURSDAY'S QUIZ: Who was Boaz's mom?  Rahab the prostitute
________________________________________________________________________________________
CALENDAR:
Fri- Bible Study and Fellowship at Hendershots 7pm; Pastor and family leave for vacation
Sat- NO BIBLE CLASS at 4pm; worship 5pm; DARBY DAY at 6PM! 
Sun- worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school and Adult Bible Class 9:45
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS COMING WEEKEND
Acolytes- 8:30- Patrick Schaumberg; 11- Ryan Spoede
Altar guild- Set up- Cheri' Hofeldt; Clean up- Sandy Robine
Greeters- 8:30- Don and Donna Sherman; 11- Dan and Lisa Rausch
Communion Assistants- Sat Rich Talbert; 8:30- John Hachtel; 11- Dave Winter
Lay Readers- Sat- Marcia Sevier; 8:30- Sandra Perricone;  11am- Sophie TInnin
Sat. Pianist- Tim Sherman
8:30 Ushers- Dave Winter, Gary Scott, Larry Schulze, Scott Schulze
Projectors- NO PROJECTORS THIS WEEK!!
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
NEWS:
DARBY DAY THIS SATURDAY EVENING AT 6PM!!
Come enjoy some fun and fellowship!  Men, get your top hats and women come in the most outlandish, biggest, most decorated hats you can find!!  Please call 456-2888 if you are coming!_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
NEXT WEDNESDAY'S MENU AND WORSHIP TEXT:

A big thank you to the Robines, Brunsons, Sutherlands, and Landwehrs for doing such a wonderful job on our dinner on Wednesday!  These families work very hard to make these dinners enjoyable for you all!  Give them a big thank you!
 
 
Come on Wednesday, March 19 at 5:30 to enjoy Turkey, stuffing, green beans and dessert!!!!

Come for worship at 6:30 to hear Pastor Grund preach on David's Psalm 121  "My Help Comes from the Lord"
___________________________________________________________________________________________
DENISE SCHLESSELMAN WILL HAVE THE PETITION PAPERS TO SIGN THIS WEEKEND FOR THE CHILDREN'S EDUCATION INITIATIVE!!!  Please stop by the table after worship to sign them!___________________________________________________________________________
LITTLE LAMBS ENROLLMENT IS OPEN FOR ST. JOHN'S MEMBERS AND FAMILIES!!!
There is a $30 nonrefundable registration fee.  Students must be 3 or 4 years old by Aug 1.  Enrollment for the community will begin April 1.  For more info call Lisa Rausch or Karin Klaustermeier.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
PASTOR NEEDS SPONSORS FOR HIS BIKE ACROSS KANSAS!!
I will be biking across part of Kansas, about 250 miles in all, on June 7-9 to raise money for Leadachild.org.  Lead a Child is a LCMS recognized service organization that provides funding for kids to attend schools, many of them Christian schools, in third world countries.  It has provided A LOT for ministries and missions to help kids who would otherwise have NO EDUCATION in places like Guatemala, Kenya, Uganda, Mexico, and many other places.  Please consider supporting me so that we can continue to support children throughout the world!  As of January 1, I am also on the board of directors for this organization.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK:  TAKING A BREAK FROM THE STORY FOR A WEEK!!!
Pastor Terry Grund will be here to preach and lead Bible study!  He will be having a Bible study on the GOSPEL reading- John 3:1-17.

___________________________________________________________________________________________
PRAYER REQUESTS:  (If you have a prayer request please reply to this email or call me at 636-359-1061)FOR THE FAMILY OF JACOB BOEDEKER who lost his life tragically in the motorcycle/bus accident yesterday.  The Boedeker family has had several kids that have and will be attending Little Lambs.
 
For SCOTT CLARK who has an infection in his finger that has gone all the way to the bone after a severe cut from a saw.
 
For CAROL HINKLEMAN, a friend of Cheri Verme (Lil WInter's daughter) who is in ICU with spinal meningitis.
 
For ED AND MARGARET KOHRS who are mourning the loss of Margaret's son in law.  

 

FOR NANCY SPINIOLAS who fell and tore a muscle in her arm and had to get 21 stiches in it.

 

FOR ERNA VAN HORN who was put on hospice care yesterday due to inoperable and untreatable cancer.

FOR WENDELL AND MARY ANN ROEHRS who have decided to move down to the Lake of the Ozarks after losing their home to a fire.
 
THOSE WITH CANCER, the many among our family and friends who are struggling with cancer.

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING FOR A NEW BABY GIRL TO MARK AND JAYME VESSEL, an "almost" member of St. John's.

COUGAR CLIFFORD, 15 year old who had an accident playing in the snow on Jan 7 and broke his neck.  He has undergone extensive surgery and is recovering but is still unable to move his legs.  
 
JONAS BORCHERT, grandson of Don Nolte, as he continues to deal with cancer in his lungs.
 
DONNA HEITGERD recovering at Scott and Lani Heitgerd's from a broken hip.
 






           

 

 

 

 

 

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Thurs. Mar. 13 , 2014

DEVOTION:  "Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.  Psalm 127:3
 
Today is Cara's birthday.  She is now 13, a teenager! How can that be?  I just blinked and she is 13? 
 
 I couldn't be more proud of her.  She is a good kid who works hard and loves Jesus!  She is a good friend, sister, daughter, and granddaughter!
 
You may never have heard more than a word or two from her as she is quiet and shy, but so was I when I was a kid.  Our kids are so much like us in so many ways.  I am glad that she has picked the best things about me to emulate and has learned, at a very young age, that her parents aren't perfect. 
 
We all love our kids and would do anything for them.  There is someone who loves them more than we do though.  His name is Jesus!  It is unbelievable to me that someone could love my daughter more than I do, but it's true!  Jesus loved Cara so much that He came down to earth to die for her.  Fact is that if she was the only person who ever lived on the earth, He would have still left heaven in all its glory to come down to earth to suffer and die just for her. 
 
Realize this today with your own kids and grandkids!  Know that as much as you love them, Jesus loves them more.  Treat them that way!  Give them, wholeheartedly, to the Lord!  Dedicate them in your prayers and in how you raise them.  Raise them up in the knowledge and admonition of the Lord!  Do whatever it takes to make sure they know as much about Jesus as they can, and never back down on that! 
 
Real love is introducing and telling them all about the ONE who loves them more than you!

Prayer:  Lord God, I thank you for Cara and I ask that you would continue to give me the power, ability, and love to be the best parent to her than I can be.  Amen.

 
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
WEDNESAY'S QUIZ:  What grain was Ruth gathering when she first gleaned in the field of Boaz? barley
________________________________________________________________________
THURSDAY'S QUIZ: Who was Boaz's mom?
________________________________________________________________________________________
CALENDAR:
Fri- Bible Study and Fellowship at Hendershots 7pm; Pastor and family leave for vacation
Sat- NO BIBLE CLASS at 4pm; worship 5pm; DARBY DAY at 6PM! 
Sun- worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school and Adult Bible Class 9:45
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS COMING WEEKEND
Acolytes- 8:30- Patrick Schaumberg; 11- Ryan Spoede
Altar guild- Set up- Cheri' Hofeldt; Clean up- Sandy Robine
Greeters- 8:30- Don and Donna Sherman; 11- Dan and Lisa Rausch
Communion Assistants- Sat Rich Talbert; 8:30- John Hachtel; 11- Dave Winter
Lay Readers- Sat- Marcia Sevier; 8:30- Sandra Perricone;  11am- Sophie TInnin
Sat. Pianist- Tim Sherman
8:30 Ushers- Dave Winter, Gary Scott, Larry Schulze, Scott Schulze
Projectors- NO PROJECTORS THIS WEEK!!
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
NEWS:
DARBY DAY THIS SATURDAY EVENING AT 6PM!!
Come enjoy some fun and fellowship!  Men, get your top hats and women come in the most outlandish, biggest, most decorated hats you can find!!  Please call 456-2888 if you are coming!_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WEDNESDAY'S MENU AND WORSHIP TEXT:
Chili and all the fixin's, hotdogs, and dessert
Come and hear David's Psalm 32:1-7  "Blessed is the one whose transgression is FORGIVEN!"
___________________________________________________________________________________________
DENISE SCHLESSELMAN WILL HAVE THE PETITION PAPERS TO SIGN THIS WEEKEND FOR THE CHILDREN'S EDUCATION INITIATIVE!!!  Please stop by the table after worship to sign them!___________________________________________________________________________
LITTLE LAMBS ENROLLMENT IS OPEN FOR ST. JOHN'S MEMBERS AND FAMILIES!!!
There is a $30 nonrefundable registration fee.  Students must be 3 or 4 years old by Aug 1.  Enrollment for the community will begin April 1.  For more info call Lisa Rausch or Karin Klaustermeier.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
PASTOR NEEDS SPONSORS FOR HIS BIKE ACROSS KANSAS!!
I will be biking across part of Kansas, about 250 miles in all, on June 7-9 to raise money for Leadachild.org.  Lead a Child is a LCMS recognized service organization that provides funding for kids to attend schools, many of them Christian schools, in third world countries.  It has provided A LOT for ministries and missions to help kids who would otherwise have NO EDUCATION in places like Guatemala, Kenya, Uganda, Mexico, and many other places.  Please consider supporting me so that we can continue to support children throughout the world!  As of January 1, I am also on the board of directors for this organization.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK:  TAKING A BREAK FROM THE STORY FOR A WEEK!!!
Pastor Terry Grund will be here to preach and lead Bible study!  He will be having a Bible study on the GOSPEL reading- John 3:1-17.

___________________________________________________________________________________________
PRAYER REQUESTS:  (If you have a prayer request please reply to this email or call me at 636-359-1061)FOR THE FAMILY OF JACOB BOEDEKER who lost his life tragically in the motorcycle/bus accident yesterday.  The Boedeker family has had several kids that have and will be attending Little Lambs.
 
For SCOTT CLARK who has an infection in his finger that has gone all the way to the bone after a severe cut from a saw.
 
For CAROL HINKLEMAN, a friend of Cheri Verme (Lil WInter's daughter) who is in ICU with spinal meningitis.
 
For ED AND MARGARET KOHRS who are mourning the loss of Margaret's son in law.  

 

FOR NANCY SPINIOLAS who fell and tore a muscle in her arm and had to get 21 stiches in it.

 

FOR ERNA VAN HORN who was put on hospice care yesterday due to inoperable and untreatable cancer.

FOR WENDELL AND MARY ANN ROEHRS who have decided to move down to the Lake of the Ozarks after losing their home to a fire.
 
THOSE WITH CANCER, the many among our family and friends who are struggling with cancer.

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING FOR A NEW BABY GIRL TO MARK AND JAYME VESSEL, an "almost" member of St. John's.

COUGAR CLIFFORD, 15 year old who had an accident playing in the snow on Jan 7 and broke his neck.  He has undergone extensive surgery and is recovering but is still unable to move his legs.  
 
JONAS BORCHERT, grandson of Don Nolte, as he continues to deal with cancer in his lungs.
 
DONNA HEITGERD recovering at Scott and Lani Heitgerd's from a broken hip.
 






           

 

 

 

 

 

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Wed. Mar. 12 , 2014

DEVOTION:  "At this, she bowed down with her face to the ground.  She asked him, 'Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you noticed me-- a foreigner'?"
 
Why do you think you are worth anything?  Is it because of your abilities?  Is it because of your looks?  Is it because of your intelligence?  How about your plain old hard work?  What you think gives you worth and what truly gives you worth are two different things.   
 
If your worth is based on anything having to do with you, you are in big trouble.  Abilities are only as good as the people who appreciate them.  Your looks will fade.  Your hard work, while honorable and a great trait to have, is not the be all and end all of your existence. 
 
Your worth is solely based on who loves you, I mean really loves you, loves you enough to die for you, even more, loves you enough to send His only Son to die for you.  That love is solely and completely found in God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!  It is found in the Father who sent His Son, Jesus who suffered, died, and rose again, and the Holy Spirit who keeps you and strengthens you in your faith. 
 
God made Boaz favorable to Ruth from the very beginning.  It was God who lived and worked through Boaz to bring about His work and will.  That same God works and does His will in you as well. 
 
Rejoice today that your worth has nothing to do with your performance.  It has everything to do with God's love and grace in you!  Live in that!  Rest in that!  Have joy in that today! 
 
Prayer:  Lord God, help me to rest in You and not trust in my own performance for my self worth.  Amen.

 
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
TUESDAY'S QUIZ: What town were Naomi and Elimelech from?  Bethlehem

_______________________________________________________________

WEDNESAY'S QUIZ:  What grain was Ruth gathering when she first gleaned in the field of Boaz?

________________________________________________________________________

CALENDAR:

Wed-  Supper 5:30; Worship 6:30

Fri- Bible Study and Fellowship at Hendershots 7pm
Sat- NO BIBLE CLASS at 4pm; worship 5pm;
Sun- worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school and Adult Bible Class 9:45
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS COMING WEEKEND
Acolytes- 8:30- Patrick Schaumberg; 11- Ryan Spoede
Altar guild- Set up- Cheri' Hofeldt; Clean up- Sandy Robine
Greeters- 8:30- Don and Donna Sherman; 11- Dan and Lisa Rausch
Communion Assistants- Sat Rich Talbert; 8:30- John Hachtel; 11- Dave Winter
Lay Readers- Sat- Marcia Sevier; 8:30- Sandra Perricone;  11am- Sophie TInnin
Sat. Pianist- Tim Sherman
8:30 Ushers- Dave Winter, Gary Scott, Larry Schulze, Scott Schulze

Projectors- NO PROJECTORS THIS WEEK!!
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
NEWS:

DARBY DAY THIS SATURDAY EVENING AT 6PM!!

Come enjoy some fun and fellowship!  Men, get your top hats and women come in the most outlandish, biggest, most decorated hats you can find!!  Please call 456-2888 if you are coming!

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

WEDNESDAY'S MENU AND WORSHIP TEXT:

Chili and all the fixin's, hotdogs, and dessert

 

Come and hear David's Psalm 32:1-7  "Blessed is the one whose transgression is FORGIVEN!"
___________________________________________________________________________________________

DENISE SCHLESSELMAN WILL HAVE THE PETITION PAPERS TO SIGN THIS WEEKEND FOR THE CHILDREN'S EDUCATION INITIATIVE!!!  Please stop by the table after worship to sign them!

___________________________________________________________________________

LITTLE LAMBS ENROLLMENT IS OPEN FOR ST. JOHN'S MEMBERS AND FAMILIES!!!
There is a $30 nonrefundable registration fee.  Students must be 3 or 4 years old by Aug 1.  Enrollment for the community will begin April 1.  For more info call Lisa Rausch or Karin Klaustermeier.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
PASTOR NEEDS SPONSORS FOR HIS BIKE ACROSS KANSAS!!
I will be biking across part of Kansas, about 250 miles in all, on June 7-9 to raise money for Leadachild.org.  Lead a Child is a LCMS recognized service organization that provides funding for kids to attend schools, many of them Christian schools, in third world countries.  It has provided A LOT for ministries and missions to help kids who would otherwise have NO EDUCATION in places like Guatemala, Kenya, Uganda, Mexico, and many other places.  Please consider supporting me so that we can continue to support children throughout the world!  As of January 1, I am also on the board of directors for this organization.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK:  TAKING A BREAK FROM THE STORY FOR A WEEK!!!
Pastor Terry Grund will be here to preach and lead Bible study!  He will be having a Bible study on the GOSPEL reading- John 3:1-17.

___________________________________________________________________________________________
PRAYER REQUESTS:  (If you have a prayer request please reply to this email or call me at 636-359-1061)

 

FOR THE FAMILY OF JACOB BOEDEKER who lost his life tragically in the motorcycle/bus accident yesterday.  The Boedeker family has had several kids that have and will be attending Little Lambs.

 

For SCOTT CLARK who has an infection in his finger that has gone all the way to the bone after a severe cut from a saw.

 

For CAROL HINKLEMAN, a friend of Cheri Verme (Lil WInter's daughter) who is in ICU with spinal meningitis.

 

For ED AND MARGARET KOHRS who are mourning the loss of Margaret's son in law.  

 

FOR NANCY SPINIOLAS who fell and tore a muscle in her arm and had to get 21 stiches in it.

 

FOR ERNA VAN HORN who was put on hospice care yesterday due to inoperable and untreatable cancer.

FOR WENDELL AND MARY ANN ROEHRS who have decided to move down to the Lake of the Ozarks after losing their home to a fire.
 
THOSE WITH CANCER, the many among our family and friends who are struggling with cancer.

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING FOR A NEW BABY GIRL TO MARK AND JAYME VESSEL, an "almost" member of St. John's.

COUGAR CLIFFORD, 15 year old who had an accident playing in the snow on Jan 7 and broke his neck.  He has undergone extensive surgery and is recovering but is still unable to move his legs.  
 
JONAS BORCHERT, grandson of Don Nolte, as he continues to deal with cancer in his lungs.
 
DONNA HEITGERD recovering at Scott and Lani Heitgerd's from a broken hip.
 






           

 

 

 

 

 

--
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Prayer request from Jennifer Figura

Please pray for the Boedeker family who lost a loved one today.

Prayer request

Please pray for ROCKY EAKLOR, sister of Lisa Rausch, who fell and broke her hip while on vacation in Mexico. 

Tues. Mar. 11 , 2014

DEVOTION: "May the Lord repay you for what you have done.  May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge."  The Story, p. 123
 
We often wonder what the payoff is for doing the right thing especially when everyone else seems to be getting away with whatever they want.  It would be so much easier to just do what is more physically satisfying, or what will most benefit me.  At least then I'd be getting something out of it. 
 
In this story we see Ruth, who could have taken the easy road and went back to her own family and yet, she takes the hard road, leaving her hometown and going to a foreign and even hostile land all to be loyal to her family and to her mother-in-law.  She took the road less traveled, she took the God pleasing and honorable way. 
 
And God did bless her.  He gave Ruth a home and a family.  He gave her food to eat and a place to stay.  He gave her all that she needed to support this body and life.  Even more, she would become the 28th great grandmother to the Lord Jesus himself.  That is how the Lord would reward her faithfulness. 
 
You may not ever be directly rewarded for your faithfulness.  You may even suffer for it.  It is not an easy road, but it is the right road, and down that road you will be rewarded.  You will be rewarded with the satisfaction that can only come from knowing that you have done God's will.  You will be rewarded with a peace that passes all understanding.  You will be rewarded by your Father in heaven. 
 
Live according to God's will in faith and in love.
 
Let us pray: Lord God, bless us as we do Your will that we would continue to do it despite the consequences or the circumstances. Amen.


 
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
MONDAY'S QUIZ: What was Ruth's father in law's name?  Elimelech

_________________________________________________________________________

TUESDAY'S QUIZ: What town were Naomi and Elimelech from?

_______________________________________________________________

CALENDAR:

Tues-  Quilters 9-2; Bible Study 11:30-12:15; trustees meeting 7pm

Wed-  Supper 5:30; Worship 6:30

Fri- Bible Study and Fellowship at Hendershots 7pm
Sat- NO BIBLE CLASS at 4pm; worship 5pm;
Sun- worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school and Adult Bible Class 9:45
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS COMING WEEKEND
Acolytes- 8:30- Patrick Schaumberg; 11- Ryan Spoede
Altar guild- Set up- Cheri' Hofeldt; Clean up- Sandy Robine
Greeters- 8:30- Don and Donna Sherman; 11- Dan and Lisa Rausch
Communion Assistants- Sat Rich Talbert; 8:30- John Hachtel; 11- Dave Winter
Lay Readers- Sat- Marcia Sevier; 8:30- Sandra Perricone;  11am- Sophie TInnin
Sat. Pianist- Tim Sherman
8:30 Ushers- Dave Winter, Gary Scott, Larry Schulze, Scott Schulze

Projectors- NO PROJECTORS THIS WEEK!!
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
NEWS:

DARBY DAY THIS SATURDAY EVENING AT 6PM!!

Come enjoy some fun and fellowship!  Men, get your top hats and women come in the most outlandish, biggest, most decorated hats you can find!!  Please call 456-2888 if you are coming!

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

WEDNESDAY'S MENU AND WORSHIP TEXT:

Chili and all the fixin's, hotdogs, and dessert

 

Come and hear David's Psalm 32:1-7  "Blessed is the one whose transgression is FORGIVEN!"
___________________________________________________________________________________________

LITTLE LAMBS ENROLLMENT IS OPEN FOR ST. JOHN'S MEMBERS AND FAMILIES!!!
There is a $30 nonrefundable registration fee.  Students must be 3 or 4 years old by Aug 1.  Enrollment for the community will begin April 1.  For more info call Lisa Rausch or Karin Klaustermeier.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
PASTOR NEEDS SPONSORS FOR HIS BIKE ACROSS KANSAS!!
I will be biking across part of Kansas, about 250 miles in all, on June 7-9 to raise money for Leadachild.org.  Lead a Child is a LCMS recognized service organization that provides funding for kids to attend schools, many of them Christian schools, in third world countries.  It has provided A LOT for ministries and missions to help kids who would otherwise have NO EDUCATION in places like Guatemala, Kenya, Uganda, Mexico, and many other places.  Please consider supporting me so that we can continue to support children throughout the world!  As of January 1, I am also on the board of directors for this organization.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
BIBLE STUDY THIS WEEK:  TAKING A BREAK FROM THE STORY FOR A WEEK!!!
Pastor Terry Grund will be here to preach and lead Bible study!  He will be having a Bible study on the GOSPEL reading- John 3:1-17.

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PRAYER REQUESTS:  (If you have a prayer request please reply to this email or call me at 636-359-1061)

For SCOTT CLARK who has an infection in his finger that has gone all the way to the bone after a severe cut from a saw.

 

For CAROL HINKLEMAN, a friend of Cheri Verme (Lil WInter's daughter) who is in ICU with spinal meningitis.

 

For ED AND MARGARET KOHRS who are mourning the loss of Margaret's son in law.  

 

FOR NANCY SPINIOLAS who fell and tore a muscle in her arm and had to get 21 stiches in it.

 

FOR ERNA VAN HORN who was put on hospice care yesterday due to inoperable and untreatable cancer.

FOR WENDELL AND MARY ANN ROEHRS who have decided to move down to the Lake of the Ozarks after losing their home to a fire.
 
THOSE WITH CANCER, the many among our family and friends who are struggling with cancer.

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING FOR A NEW BABY GIRL TO MARK AND JAYME VESSEL, an "almost" member of St. John's.

COUGAR CLIFFORD, 15 year old who had an accident playing in the snow on Jan 7 and broke his neck.  He has undergone extensive surgery and is recovering but is still unable to move his legs.  
 
JONAS BORCHERT, grandson of Don Nolte, as he continues to deal with cancer in his lungs.
 
DONNA HEITGERD recovering at Scott and Lani Heitgerd's from a broken hip.
 






           

 

 

 

 

 

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