St. John's Lutheran ChurchWarrenton, MO

The Lutheran Hour: April 6, 2014

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

From: Lutheran Hour Ministries

Date:04/05/2014 9:20 PM (GMT-06:00)

To: revklaus@hotmail.com

Subject: The Lutheran Hour: April 6, 2014

The Lutheran Hour with Rev.Gregory Seltz

Sermon Text for April 6, 2014

"God Digs Deep" #81-31
Presented on The Lutheran Hour on April 6, 2014
By Rev. Gregory Seltz, Lutheran Hour Speaker
(So The Church Is Pro-Life, What Does That Mean?)
Copyright 2014 Lutheran Hour Ministries

Text: John 11:1-45

Christ is risen. He is risen indeed, and faith brings abundant, eternal life to all who believe. Amen.

Welcome to the month of April! You know what April means, don't you? Yes, it's springtime. Easter is coming. Tulips and daffodils are popping through the ground. But there's something else that is very important. You've got it; baseball season has started! America's national pastime has swung into action! My beloved Tigers just started to play one week ago. The actual baseball season started two weeks ago though--in of all places--Sydney, Australia! It was a two-game series between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Los Angeles Dodgers at the Sydney Cricket Ground. It's the first time in history that Major League Baseball was played "Down Under."

Baseball is synonymous with America. It's a national pastime. From T ball to Little League, up through the ranks of high school and college, all the way to the pros; kids and adults love a day at the ballpark. Boy, down through the years, baseball has sure provided some thrills and excitement, hasn't it?

Who could forget Don Larsen's perfect game in the 1956 World Series?

Then there is Nolan Ryan, one of the greatest pitchers of all time. He threw seven no-hitters in his career, but in 1991, at age 44, he became the oldest baseball player to achieve that feat of pitching a no-hitter.

Or, perhaps you remember about Babe Ruth's famous "called shot" when, in a 1932 World Series game against the Chicago Cubs, Ruth pointed toward the center field bleachers as an apparent signal that he would hit a home run to that spot. When the next pitch came, Ruth's ball sailed into the center field bleachers.

Plenty of baseball legends fill our memories. There's Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio. There's Mr. October, Reggie Jackson; and Mr. Cub, Ernie Banks. Jackie Robinson, Hank Aaron, Stan Musial are all-time greats. Who can forget, too, Willie Mays and Ted Williams?

But, one of my favorite memories of baseball was when Kirk Gibson hit a homerun in the 1988 World Series. There were 2 outs, 1 on, trailing 4-3, Gibson, with injuries in both legs, suffering from the flu, hobbled to the plate. He fought the count to 3-2, and the next pitch...he hit over the right field wall, winning the game. He hobbled around the bases, touched home plate for the victory and though he didn't take another bat in the series, his heroics motivated the underdog Dodgers to beat the Oakland A's 4 games to 1.

What did all these players have in common? Right, they dug deep. They never gave up. They gave it everything they had. They kept going no matter how strong the opposition seemed.

April may be a time for baseball; but, you know what, it is also a time for Lent. Our heroes in life may have dug deeply when the game was on the line; but, the season of Lent, a season of repentance tells us something much, much more important. It tells us that our Savior Jesus Christ dug deep when our very lives were on the line. Lent is that time when we remember the greatest event of human history; the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We remember how Jesus dug deep, literally He "set His face towards Jerusalem," to take on sin and our death through His own suffering and death. Lent is a time when we see clearly the passion of Jesus to reach the lost, to save the world. The season of Lent focuses on the Savior who did things that were never done before.

John, chapter eleven describes such an event. Do you remember it? It was the time when Jesus literally raised Lazarus from the dead. Let me take you back to that event. As Jesus neared His entry into Jerusalem, He heard that His dear friend, Lazarus, was very sick. Jesus heard about the illness, but decided not to go to see His friend. Instead, He told His disciples, "This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it" (John 11:4). Jesus was about to face incredible opposition in His public life, unheard of extremes in His ministry. He was preparing to dig deep, to face every obstacle, temporal and eternal, in order that many would have life in Him through faith.

Have you thought about your troubles, your struggles, the way that Jesus spoke about His sufferings, or even about how He spoke about Lazarus' illness? Have you ever thought that God might be doing something in and through your difficulties to allow you to see His faithful and saving work more clearly than ever? Sometimes God digs deep into His love, His plan, and power so that even the worst of your trials can be used to show you His remarkable faithfulness to you, demonstrating that in your life so that others can come to know the truth of His love and care.

All hell seemed to be breaking loose at this time in Jesus' life. In John, chapter eleven, after two days, Jesus told His disciples it was time. It was time to go visit Lazarus. By that time the illness had taken its toll, Lazarus had died. But Jesus said something incredible. He said, "Lazarus has died, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him" (John 11:14-16).

Something remarkable and unexpected was unfolding, even in the middle of real pain and sadness. In spite of many personal dangers, Jesus decided to make the trip back toward Jerusalem to see Lazarus and his family. In Jerusalem, Jesus' enemies there wanted Him dead, but to Jerusalem He would go. His life could be in terrible jeopardy, but Jesus went anyway. The disciple Thomas captured the looming danger when he said, "Let us also go, that we may die with him" (John 11:16).

Could anything good come from all this? What could sadness, danger, and adversity bring? Truth be told, you know that sometimes adversity makes you grow much more than times of ease and smooth sailing. The adversity of Lazarus' death resulted in amazing transformation. Lazarus' sisters, Mary and Martha, were devastated because of the grief. You can't forget Martha, right? She was the sister who was too busy with worries and work to listen to Jesus. But not now. Helpless in sadness, she dropped everything and she ran to Jesus.

We hear that in John, chapter 11: So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house. Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will give you." Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." Martha said to him, "I know he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day." Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet he shall live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:20-26)

From someone who was busy and distracted, Martha was transformed into a woman who demonstrated remarkable poise during a heartbreaking time, who could now disengage from the urgent pressures of the day, and who offered one of the most stirring confessions of faith in the Bible. Jesus dug deep to reach her. And He continued to dig deep as He shared even greater truths with her and challenged her to stronger faith.

Please don't overlook what happened to Martha. See it as hope for your life. Sometimes things don't appear to be heading in the right direction, sometimes you feel totally out of control; follow her example, lay it all at Jesus' feet. Look at Martha; even more importantly, look at Jesus who loved Martha, the One who digs deep to give her the gift of new life. In Him she is no longer a slave to worry, control, obsession, and self-reliance. Martha stands out as a beacon of what God's grace can do. She was a new creation in Christ Jesus. Jesus died to give that gift to you, too.

And please don't overlook Jesus' reply to Martha. Did you hear it? Did you hear it echo out of the pages of history into your life today? Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die." That's about as straight as Jesus can say it....So, to you, to Martha, "do you believe this?" I pray; I pray that you do.

For Jesus is your resurrection and life. If you believe in Him, you will live forever. Death, still the greatest enemy of humanity, death itself will have no hold on you; the fear of death can be overcome. Do you believe this? Could the adversity in your life be leading you to trust in the Savior who has overcome all adversity for you and who reaches out to you with the gift of life in Him? Through this stirring Word of God today, Jesus is digging deep to give you a new life, new hope, and the trustworthy encouragement of His faithful work for you even now. Will you receive this precious gift today?

What an incredible response from Martha. She goes on to say, "Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world" (John 11:27). May that be your response now in your heart. "Yes, Lord, I believe. I believe that you are the Christ, the Savior sent from heaven, the One who died and rose again for me, the One who can carry my burdens and restore my soul. Yes, Lord, I believe."

And that's what Jesus wants for you. Why would He make the effort to dig deep through the trouble and pain to save you? Why, because He cares about you.

Just consider what happened when Jesus saw Mary and Martha's sadness. John, eleven tells us: When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come there with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. And he said, "Where have you laid him?" They said, "Lord, come and see." And Jesus wept. (John 11:32-36).

Jesus wept. The Son of God was moved to tears. The word wept conveys bursting into tears, convulsing with weeping. This was not just a single tear rolling down His cheek. Jesus was heaving in cries of sadness for His friends. He had the power to change things, but He was still overwhelmed with the sadness about what sin and death can do and does.

What moves Jesus to tears? His people's pain. The sorrow of the ones He loves. This is what Adam and Eve's rebellion brought into the world. As the Creator and Redeemer of us all, it tore His heart in two; then to see people He loves walk away from Him in unbelief; Jesus wept. Jesus wept over Jerusalem too when He said, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often I would have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!" (Luke 13:34)

Seeing people walk away from His gifts of forgiveness, hope, and life moves Jesus to tears. He loves you that much. He cares for you that deeply. He cares about your struggles and pains even more than you and I do.

Know this today, my friend, whatever is happening in your life at the moment, God is not absent. He is not far away when you endure trouble. He is close. He cares. He literally died and rose again amidst tears so that your tears of pain and sadness would be temporary and His promise of life, eternal. He helps you as He speaks to you in His Word and as He reaches out to you through His sacraments, through fellow believers, and through servants who show His care. When tears happen, and they happen to us all, you know someone cares deeply.

That's what happened to Boston Red Sox player Jake Peavy. It was game six of the World Series last year. The end of the game was close. The Red Sox were winning and a World Series victory looked certain. A twelve-year veteran and a seasoned pitcher, Peavy said, "Really the ninth inning, those emotions came out of me and I had tears rolling down my face thinking about, just flashing back on 12 years and beyond... It was very, very surreal." He cried. That moment really mattered, the people really mattered, the fans mattered, the game mattered. You've seen it before. When people really care, when they dig deep and are connected, they weep. So did Jesus. That's how much He cares about you.

But sometimes, when times are difficult, you still wonder if God is paying attention, if He has time for you, if He really, really does care. Even the bystanders in John, chapter eleven, they wondered that. They said, "Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind also have kept this man from dying?" (John 11:37)

Truth be told, Jesus could have prevented Lazarus' death. He had healed many other people. God could have chosen to do things differently. We wish sometimes that life could go exactly the way we want it; it would be less stressful, better, not as sad, right? I don't know, we sinners have a way of messing things up no matter what. But the Bible calls us to trust Him even more then. For God's ways are higher than our ways. His plans are beyond our understanding. He doesn't settle for the simple or predictable. He digs deep.

The Bible says, "[God] does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities" (Psalms 103:10). God could have punished us for our failures and rebellion, He could have taken the easy way out, but instead He punished His One and Only Son in our place. God's ways are mysterious, but they are always faithful. His love is deeper and wider and higher and greater than anything we can comprehend. He digs deep to make a significant difference, to give you life that matters and that lasts forever. So Jesus allowed Lazarus to die in order to bring a greater difference, a bigger victory, not just for Lazarus, but for all the onlookers that day. He wiped away the tears from His eyes, He went towards the tomb of the one who was 3 days dead and said: "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I know that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me." When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out." The man who had died came out, his hands and feet bound with linen strips, his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Unbind him, and let him go." Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did, believed in him" (John 11:37-45).

Did you hear that? The man who died came out. Jesus raised a dead man to life. He dug deep to work a miracle beyond all miracles so that many would believe in Him as the Son of God and their Savior.

Sometimes it takes something really big to break barriers; something must be risked so that something new might come. Something like that happened with a baseball player named Jackie Robinson. Early in his career, as this courageous African American player broke the color barrier in baseball, he had a difficult time finding people who would defend him. But during a game in Cincinnati, as Robinson was being treated cruelly by the crowd, Pee Wee Reese from the opposing team walked up to Robinson and put his arm around him. The crowd was silenced as Reese, a popular player raised locally, dug deep to break a barrier of hatred and rejection.

There are many examples of people digging deep to love and care for others. But God in the flesh in Christ dug the deepest of all. He did it, not for friends, but even for enemies, sinners, those who were lost. He suffered hell in their place so that each one of us could have real, eternal, lasting life in Him. He dug deep, not only raising Lazarus from the dead, but suffering for you and me and giving His life for you on the cross. He carried your sin. He put His forgiving arm around you and silenced the cruel cries of sin and death, of struggle and heartache. Jesus was raised from the dead by God the Father and earned the gift of eternal hope and new life just for you.

God digs deep for you, dear friend. That's not just a Lenten word, that's a daily word upon which to build your life. In every struggle, through every pain, you have the eternal hope of life in Jesus. That's a promise.

Amen.

LUTHERAN HOUR MAILBOX (Questions & Answers) for April, 6, 2014
Topic: So The Church Is Pro-Life, What Does That Mean?

ANNOUNCER: Now, Pastor Gregory Seltz responds to questions. I'm Mark Eischer. Pastor, back in January our church celebrated Life Sunday; I know that means that we are against abortion, but is that the only thing it means?

SELTZ: Wow! What a good question, Mark; because this is one of the most misunderstood issues in our culture today.

ANNOUNCER: Why is that?

SELTZ: People tend to think that the church focuses only on the issue of abortion, when the issue of life is much bigger than one political issue alone. The Bible proclaims as a fundamental reality that human life is precious. In fact, it says that human beings were created in God's image.

ANNOUNCER: And that includes all of human life, right?

SELTZ: That's right. Jesus was controversial in that He demonstrated that all human beings mattered to God. He died for everyone; remember God so loved the world.

ANNOUNCER: And that fundamental message applies to many things.

SELTZ: It does. If life is precious to God, if life is a gift from God, if all life matters to God, then we human beings better take life seriously too. And that would include people we love, and those we may not like so much either, and that includes people we might not even know at all.

ANNOUNCER: I would hope that even if someone didn't know me personally, they would still value me as a human being.

SELTZ: That's right. It's really important personally and it's important culturally. In fact, this view of people in general is a pretty powerful way to live, even a powerful way to order society.

ANNOUNCER: Okay. What do you mean by that?

SELTZ: Think about it Mark, if you value life, then murder is an abominable evil. If you value life, then even things like marriage and sexuality are to be practiced for the sake of the other person, not just ourselves. If a person values life, then the most vulnerable; the infirmed, the mentally disabled, and unborn deserve our protection and care, not our willful destruction or denigration.

ANNOUNCER: That's a distinctly Christian view of life and it's been a blessing to many down through the years.

SELTZ: It has. In fact, there's a reason why orphanages, schools, even hospitals have sprung up in history. A very compelling reason; that Christian worldview said that all of life is precious.

ANNOUNCER: It sounds like this pro-life view of life is also a pro-people view of life.

SELTZ: Well said. And, it is! It's not just about abortion and protecting the innocent life of a child in the womb. It's about the dignity of life in the world as well. It's about valuing people, even those different than ourselves because life is precious to God.

ANNOUNCER: Sadly, we've all seen what happens when we ignore that truth, don't we?

SELTZ: We sure have. Someone said it this way, "in the 18th century, the Bible was killed. In the 19th century, God was killed. In the 20th century, man was killed." God is pro-life in a pro-death world. More people have been killed in the name of human progress than all other philosophies combined.

ANNOUNCER: And the Bible's view is not just the moral opposition to that, it's actually the proclamation of repentance and salvation to all, even those who find themselves caught up in this anti-life view.

SELTZ: It sure is. Not only does it provide hope, and healing, and salvation to those who've been hurt by the anti-life position; it is calling us to a new way of life now and forever. It also protects us from those philosophies that would denigrate life in general.

ANNOUNCER: Tell us why that is important.

SELTZ: Just think about it again, Mark; if all life is valuable to God, then who are we to consider some lives not worth living. But modern people often believe in the survival of the fittest, or evolutionary progress in certain human beings, but not in others. But, truth be told, those views are the philosophical foundations to racism and all of the ugliness that it's unleashed on our society.

ANNOUNCER: But the view of life that it's made in the image of God pushes back against that falsehood for everyone's sake.

SELTZ: It does. People need to hear that Jesus was the One who leveled the playing field not the politicians of His day. It was Jesus, who spent time with those outcast from their communities. Remember, to do the heinous things to people that we've seen in the Stalinist, Maoist, Hitlerist regimes, seen also in our modern Planned Parenthood activities, one first has to reclassify certain human beings as lives not worth living or as useless lives. Thank God, Christians are pro-life knowing that wherever you have been, whatever you have done, your life is still precious; it can be redeemed and restored to God Himself.

ANNOUNCER: Thank you, Pastor Seltz. Life is precious to be lived to God's glory and also to our neighbor's good. This has been a presentation of Lutheran Hour Ministries.

Music Selections for this program:

"A Mighty Fortress" arranged by Chris Bergmann. Used by permission.

"A Lamb Goes Uncomplaining Forth" arr. Richard Wienhorst. From Heirs of the Reformation (© 2008 Concordia Publishing House)

"Cross of Jesus, Cross of Sorrow" From The Concordia Organist (© 2009 Concordia Publishing House)

"Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word" From The Concordia Organist (© 2009 Concordia Publishing House)

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Correction: Concordia Seward's Symphonic Band is at Immanuel, WENTZVILLE

The concert tomorrow night is at IMMANUEL WENTZVILLE!! They are also helping to lead worship there on Sunday morning.

Men's breakfast next Saturday, April 12, at 8am!!

Are you hungry for some good breakfast and some fellowship???

Please come and enjoy pancakes, sausage, bacon, eggs, and fellowship with us next Saturday, April 12 at 8am!!!

Note: On the calendar it was scheduled for this Saturday, but I am not able to do it. Please make a note and tell everyone you know! Thanks!

Concordia, Seward Symphonic Band at Immanuel, St Charles Saturday at 7pm

If you like good classical and sacred music consider going to Immanuel Lutheran Church in St. Charles for an excellent concert by a very elite group of musicians from Concordia University, Seward, NE.

Saturday, April 5, 7pm

Thurs. April 3, 2014

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).

"A Sacred Trust"
April 3, 2014
(Jesus said) "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. ...." Matthew 28:19-20a
On the James Farley Post Office Building in New York City there is a familiar inscription. It reads: "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night shall stay these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds." Although this past winter has shown there are some exceptions to that lofty goal, most of the time the vast majority of mail folks are incredibly faithful in their deliveries.

But, like I say, there are exceptions. One of those exceptions is Patrick Paskett who delivered the mail in Massapequa and Seaford.

Sadly, the swift completion of his appointed rounds was not stayed by the weather. No, in Paskett's case, the mail failed because of a bit of laziness. On March 6th of this year Paskett was seen throwing a stack of letters into a local garbage can. When the police talked to him, he said he had dumped mail about 15 times since this past December.

Some of that mail has been recovered and delivered.

When that story was told to some friends, most of them were aghast. I tried to play the devil's advocate by saying, "Most of the mail he chucked was probably junk."

They said, "But suppose there was something the people really needed."

I said, "He did them a favor because a goodly percentage of that mail would have been bills."

They replied, "If they don't pay their bills, it's going to hurt their credit or worse."

I tried one last time by adding, "In those thousands of pieces of mail that were tossed there was probably, at most, a handful of letters containing very good or very bad news."

Those who were listening shouted back, "Good or bad, these folks would have wanted to see what was written."

One of my friends observed, "Doesn't he know the delivery of the mail is almost a sacred trust."

With that statement, my friend was speaking a great truth. It is a truth that applies to all mail carriers and to Christians. You see, Jesus, in a final act of pre-Ascension teaching, told His disciples they were to go, teach and baptize sinners into the Christian faith. Although Jesus was speaking to His closest disciples, He was also speaking to us.

It was as if He were saying, "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night shall stay My couriers from going and making disciples of all nations, where they will baptize them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."

But Jesus would also add, "And don't let hunger, cold, heat, flood or persecution stop you from the swift completion of these appointed rounds." To their credit the disciples listened to what Jesus said, and the apostles managed to cover a good share of the known world before they died.

We should do the same. After all, we have a message which isn't junk mail, and it isn't a bill. In the story of the Christ we have a message of Good News of great joy, which is for all people.

It is a message which needs to be delivered.

As my friend said, "It is a sacred trust."

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, let nothing stay us from the swift completion of our appointed rounds. Let us deliver the message of salvation, which comes through Christ. This we ask in Jesus' Name. Amen.

In Christ I remain His servant and yours,

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

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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: How long did Saul reign in Israel? 42 years
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TODAY'S QUIZ: What was the name of David's oldest brother?
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CALENDAR:
Sat- Bible Class on The Story Chapter 12 at 4pm; worship 5pm
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-- Ian Brunson 11-- Grace Hargrove
Altar guild- Set up- Linda Callies; Clean up- Terry McKenzie
Greeters- 8:30- Dave and Hope Tinnin; 11- Mike and Naomi Johnson
Communion Assistants- Sat- John Hachtel; 8:30- Rich Talbert; 11- Jim Rahn
Lay Readers- Sat- ??; 8:30- Christine Winn; 11am- Sam Johnson
Sat. Pianist- Kathy Barrow??
8:30 Ushers- Alan Hofeldt, Tim Linke, Rich Talbert, Don Turnure
Projectors- 11am Devin Miller
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NEWS:
A LETTER FROM OUR DCE INTERN KELSEY OVERBECK

My name is Kelsey Overbeck and I will be your DCE intern this year from

Concordia University Nebraska. I am from a little town called Pocahontas, Missouri

which is in the southeast part of the state with a population of 114 people. I live on a 70

acre farm where we raise angus cattle, a few chickens, a brittany spaniel named

Brownie, and a boston terrier named Cooper. My parents are Pat and Doug Overbeck;

my dad is a line technician for Proctor & Gamble and my mom is disabled with Multiple

Sclerosis, I also have a 16 year old sister named Lindsey who is a sophomore at

Saxony Lutheran High School.

I attended grade school at St. Paul Lutheran School and then I attended high

school at Saxony Lutheran High School. I am from St. Paul Lutheran Church in

Jackson, Missouri. I have been involved in my church praise band for 8 years playing

acoustic guitar and bass guitar. I was a member of the Missouri District LYF Team

during high school where I helped plan and lead retreats in the state of Missouri and I

continued to help with the Jr. High retreats in the fall and spring while in college. I love

being at retreats and serving on missions trips. I have been to New Orleans six different

times helping with hurricane Katrina relief, I have helped with the Joplin tornado relief

two different times, and I have worked with UKANDU missions in inner city Chicago

teaching VBS to kids living in poverty.

While at Concordia University Nebraska I majored in psychology with a youth

emphasis. I fulfilled my practicum experience at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Lincoln,

Nebraska alongside DCE Rod Lane. At school I was involved in two different praise

bands each year and was able to travel to different churches throughout the state of

Nebraska on Sunday mornings; I have also had the opportunity to play at the NYG in

San Antonio, Texas and at the LEA Conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Also while at

Concordia I was the Bulldog mascot for a year.

My passion is working with youth and helping them on their faith walk with Christ.

I strive to be a positive role model to them as well. One of my biggest strengths that I

bring into youth ministry is a listening ear because a lot of times they just want someone

to be there to listen and talk to. I am very excited to be a part of your church during my

internship experience! I can’t wait to see what God has in store for me at St. John’s

Lutheran Church!

In Him, For Him,

Kelsey Overbeck

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ST JOHN'S IS EMERGENCY SHELTER TONIGHT
If you or anyone you know needs shelter from the storm this evening, St. John's will be available and open as the storms pass through if need be.
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CHAPTER 11 "FROM SHEPHERD TO KING" IS THE TEXT AND READING FOR THIS WEEKEND!!
Please read it and be ready to study on Saturday, at 4pm or Sunday at 9:45!!
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NEXT WEDNESDAY'S MENU AND WORSHIP TEXT:
MENU: Fried Chicken, potatoes, corn, rolls, dessert

WORSHIP TEXT: Psalm 130 "With You There is Forgiveness"

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OPEN ENROLLMENT FOR LITTLE LAMBS ENROLLMENT FOR EVERYONE BEGINS APRIL 1!!!
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.
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VENDOR FAIR AND TAILGATE SALE AND LADIES AID LUNCHEON AND BAKE SALE IS COMING SOON!! SATURDAY, MAY 3, 7am-2pm

Reserve an inside vendor table for $20 or a tailgate space for $10 by filling out a registration form in the church office. Inside tables will not be reserved until forms are filled out and paid for. First come first served!!
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WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE YOUR OFFERING DEDUCTED AUTOMATICALLY FROM YOUR BANK ACCOUNT???
The church council is researching an automatic electronic funds transfer option for members who wish to have their regular offerings deducted directly from their bank account. We would like to get a "feel" of whether or not enough members would be interested and willing to participate in this option. Please contact the church office or Alan Hofeldt directly if you think you would be a candidate for this service.
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TWO GROUP TRAVEL EVENTS COMING UP THIS YEAR!!
October 4--A DAY IN ST. LOUIS-- We will tour places that are hidden gems in St. Louis

December 6-- CATHOLIC RECTORY IN HERMANN AND POSSIBLY A CHRISTMAS SHOW IN OSAGE BEACH

Let Marilyn know if you are interested in either of these trip so she can make definite plans.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
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.

___________________________________________________________________________________________
PRAYER REQUESTS: (If you have a prayer request please reply to this email or call me at 636-359-1061)
For ELIZABETH DAVIS as she will be confirmed this Saturday night.

For JUDE AND ELLA SPEAKMAN who will be baptized at our 11am service this Sunday.

For KELSEY OVERBECK as she finishes up her schooling at Concordia, Seward and moves to Warrenton to become our DCE intern.

For OUR SAFETY TONIGHT as severe storms are likely.

For OUR CONGREGATION as we continue to grow very rapidly and as we love our community with the love of Christ.

For MARY STEMLER, a soon to be member of St. John's who is hospitalized with congestive heart failure.

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
.
THOSE WITH CANCER, especially RICK SPINIOLAS, and the many others among our family and friends who are struggling with cancer.

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Our DCE intern for 2014-2015

Here is a short letter from and a picture of our DCE intern for 2014-2015. Hopefully she will be arriving in Warrenton somewhere in mid June.

My name is Kelsey Overbeck and I will be your DCE intern this year from

Concordia University Nebraska. I am from a little town called Pocahontas, Missouri

which is in the southeast part of the state with a population of 114 people. I live on a 70

acre farm where we raise angus cattle, a few chickens, a brittany spaniel named

Brownie, and a boston terrier named Cooper. My parents are Pat and Doug Overbeck;

my dad is a line technician for Proctor & Gamble and my mom is disabled with Multiple

Sclerosis, I also have a 16 year old sister named Lindsey who is a sophomore at

Saxony Lutheran High School.

I attended grade school at St. Paul Lutheran School and then I attended high

school at Saxony Lutheran High School. I am from St. Paul Lutheran Church in

Jackson, Missouri. I have been involved in my church praise band for 8 years playing

acoustic guitar and bass guitar. I was a member of the Missouri District LYF Team

during high school where I helped plan and lead retreats in the state of Missouri and I

continued to help with the Jr. High retreats in the fall and spring while in college. I love

being at retreats and serving on missions trips. I have been to New Orleans six different

times helping with hurricane Katrina relief, I have helped with the Joplin tornado relief

two different times, and I have worked with UKANDU missions in inner city Chicago

teaching VBS to kids living in poverty.

While at Concordia University Nebraska I majored in psychology with a youth

emphasis. I fulfilled my practicum experience at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Lincoln,

Nebraska alongside DCE Rod Lane. At school I was involved in two different praise

bands each year and was able to travel to different churches throughout the state of

Nebraska on Sunday mornings; I have also had the opportunity to play at the NYG in

San Antonio, Texas and at the LEA Conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Also while at

Concordia I was the Bulldog mascot for a year.

My passion is working with youth and helping them on their faith walk with Christ.

I strive to be a positive role model to them as well. One of my biggest strengths that I

bring into youth ministry is a listening ear because a lot of times they just want someone

to be there to listen and talk to. I am very excited to be a part of your church during my

internship experience! I can’t wait to see what God has in store for me at St. John’s

Lutheran Church!

In Him, For Him,

Kelsey Overbeck

Video: Messianic Jewish lady and the Reformation

This is how we should all respond as Christians. The muslim god and the Christian God are not the same. There is only on God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!!

A must see.

Watch this brave German lady’s response and witness in a church that once honored Martin Luther, but regressed to allowing an Imam's "call” to worship ring through

Very moving and inspiring. I wonder if her actions convicted any of those attending to wake up and realize how far their countrymen have forgotten the God who inspired Luther to speak out against the corruption within the church.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=814230481935684

Pastor needs an RV for July 20-31

The family and I are planning a trip up through Minnesota, around the north shore of Lake Superior in Canada and back down through Michigan on July 20-31. It would be wonderful and save us a ton of money if someone in the congregation or someone you know would be able to rent us their RV for those 12 days.

If you have one that you'd be willing to part with for those dates please call me at 636-359-1061 or you can simply reply to this email.

Have a peaceful day!

Light blue under armor sweatshirt found

Last Wednesday evening someone left an light blue Under Armor sweatshirt in the preschool room at church. If it is yours or one of your kids, please pick it up in my office.

Thanks,
Pastor

Supporting Pastor's bike ride online

If you want to support me on my 3 day journey halfway across Kansas you can go to http://leadachild.org/bike_4_kids_nebraska1.aspx ,click on my name at the bottom of the page, and then fill out the info.

Thanks in advance!
Pastor

Mon. Mar. 31, 2014

DEVOTION: "Do not turn away after useless idols. They can do you no good, nor can they rescue you, because they are useless. For the sake of His great name the Lord will not reject his people, because He was pleased to make you His own." The Story, p. 141

This weekend I got to see, once again, the power of God's Word and what praising God for a whole weekend can do. Although the kids didn't get a whole lot of sleep, and although they were cranky at times, I heard from many of them how wonderful and awesome it was. Many bought t-shirts and cds of the band. Many made new friends and reconnected with old ones. Many worked hard to help out. We got to meet the lady who is going to be our DCE intern next year, Miss Kelsey Overbeck, and most of all WE ALL GREW IN OUR FAITH AND GOT TO RECHARGE OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS!

Now, the trick is to keep it going throughout the week. As the kids go back to school, back to the daily grind and the challenges of the world and their own sinful nature, we need to be continually praying for them and for their families and friends so that they can fight against the devil, the world, and their own sinful nature and so that they can continue to have peace and rest in Jesus!

In the same way we need to pray for ourselves and our own families for the same thing. It is so easy for us to turn to "worthless idols" and useless things to try to find satisfaction and peace. Satan is constantly putting temptation after temptation in front of us. Pray to the Lord of comfort and peace to fill you with His joy and forgiveness that you may fight against all of that and overcome to gain the victory!

Prayer: Lord God, bless us and keep us in our faith that we may continue to trust in you as we go back to our daily grind after a day of praising You and resting in You. Amen.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________
YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: How did Eli die? When he heard that his sons had died and that the Ark of the Covenant had been stolen he fell back on his chair , broke his neck and died for he was an old man and very large.
____________________________________________________________________________
TODAY'S QUIZ: How long did Saul reign in Israel?
________________________________________________________________________
CALENDAR:
Mon- Confirmation 5-6:15pm
Tues- Bible Study 11:30-12:15
Wed- Supper 5:30; Worship 6:30
Sat- Bible Class on The Story Chapter 12 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-- Ian Brunson 11-- Grace Hargrove
Altar guild- Set up- Linda Callies; Clean up- Terry McKenzie
Greeters- 8:30- Dave and Hope Tinnin; 11- Mike and Naomi Johnson
Communion Assistants- Sat- John Hachtel; 8:30- Rich Talbert; 11- Jim Rahn
Lay Readers- Sat- ??; 8:30- Christine Winn; 11am- Sam Johnson
Sat. Pianist- Kathy Barrow??
8:30 Ushers- Alan Hofeldt, Tim Linke, Rich Talbert, Don Turnure
Projectors- 11am Devin Miller
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
NEWS:
DCE INTERN HAS BEEN APPOINTED
Kelsey Overbeck will be our DCE intern for the 2014-2015 year!! She is coming to us from Concordia University Seward, Nebraska. She is from Jackson, MO and a graduate of Lutheran High School in Jackson. The jr hi kids, chaperones, and I got to meet her at the retreat this past weekend, because she was there helping out as a leader. She was a member of the Missouri District LYF Leadership team during her high school years. She has played acoustic and bass guitar for praise bands the last 8 years. She is looking forward to her time here at St. John's! More to come in the days and weeks ahead. We are planning a start date for the middle of June.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
CHAPTER 11 "FROM SHEPHERD TO KING" IS THE TEXT AND READING FOR THIS WEEKEND!!
Please read it and be ready to study on Saturday, at 4pm or Sunday at 9:45!!
______________________________________________________________________________________________
WEDNESDAY'S MENU AND WORSHIP TEXT:
MENU: Mostaciolli, garlic bread, salad, dessert

WORSHIP TEXT: Psalm 142 "I Cry to You, O Lord"

___________________________________________________________________________________________
OPEN ENROLLMENT FOR LITTLE LAMBS ENROLLMENT FOR EVERYONE BEGINS APRIL 1!!!
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.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
VENDOR FAIR AND TAILGATE SALE AND LADIES AID LUNCHEON AND BAKE SALE IS COMING SOON!! SATURDAY, MAY 3, 7am-2pm

Reserve an inside vendor table for $20 or a tailgate space for $10 by filling out a registration form in the church office. Inside tables will not be reserved until forms are filled out and paid for. First come first served!!
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE YOUR OFFERING DEDUCTED AUTOMATICALLY FROM YOUR BANK ACCOUNT???
The church council is researching an automatic electronic funds transfer option for members who wish to have their regular offerings deducted directly from their bank account. We would like to get a "feel" of whether or not enough members would be interested and willing to participate in this option. Please contact the church office or Alan Hofeldt directly if you think you would be a candidate for this service.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
TWO GROUP TRAVEL EVENTS COMING UP THIS YEAR!!
October 4--A DAY IN ST. LOUIS-- We will tour places that are hidden gems in St. Louis

December 6-- CATHOLIC RECTORY IN HERMANN AND POSSIBLY A CHRISTMAS SHOW IN OSAGE BEACH

Let Marilyn know if you are interested in either of these trip so she can make definite plans.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
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.

___________________________________________________________________________________________
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
.

THOSE WITH CANCER, the many among our family and friends who are struggling with cancer.

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Ladies Aid needs kitchen clean up help at 2:30 today.

Our Ladies Aid is doing their second funeral luncheon in three days. They are in need of people to help clean up after the luncheon today starting around 2:30. The luncheon will probably begin between 2 and 2:30.

Please stop by to help even if just for a little bit.

Thanks,
Pastor

REVISED: Thurs. Mar. 27 , 2014

I've added a new question of the day and noted that Barb Dreyer is playing piano Saturday night.

DEVOTION:   Saul replied, "When I saw that the men were scattering, and that you did not come at the set time, and that the Philistines were assembling at Mikmash, I thought, 'Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the Lord's favor.' So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering."
        "You have done a foolish thing," Samuel said. "You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the Lord's command."

How often do we do exactly what Saul did. We are impatient in our waiting for the Lord to do what He needs and wants to do for us and so we take matters into our own hand, sometimes doing things that go directly against God's will. We act dishonestly in our business just to get ahead. We turn to other worldly things for comfort and peace, because God is taking too long to give us the peace that we desire. We aren't getting the satisfaction out of the relationships that God has given us so we seek out other, ungodly relationships to fulfill our own wants and needs.

What Samuel says to Saul, he also says to us. If you would have just waited, if you would have been patient and looked for God to do His will, if you would have done God's will in this matter, he would have established you for all time.

Guess what, all of us fail so none of us will live forever. All of us are impatient little children who want what we want and want it right now. Sometimes it is best for us to wait. It is a good thing when we experience delayed gratification so that we actually appreciate what we do get.

We especially will benefit from that delayed gratification when it comes to our salvation. We wait as long as God sees fit for that day when we will no longer experience the effects of sin. And that is good, because we know, without a doubt, that God will do what He has promised for us. He always does!

Let us pray: Lord God, help me to be patient. Help me to give my needs and desires to you in prayer and then wait on You to do Your will in all of those circumstances. Amen.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________
YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: What was Samuel's mom's name? Hannah
___________________________________________________________________________________________
TODAY'S QUIZ: How did Eli die?
____________________________________________________________________________
CALENDAR:
Fri- Assemble newsletter 9am; Jr Hi kids leave at 4pm for Camp Windermere
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-- Dustin Toedebusch 11-- Devin Miller
Altar guild- Set up- Don and Dianne Hance; Clean up- Bett Schirr and Cheryl Bettlach
Greeters- 8:30- Rich and Peggy Talbert; 11- Pam Linke
Communion Assistants- Sat- John Hachtel; 8:30- Rich Talbert; 11- Jim Rahn
Lay Readers- Sat- John Hachtel; 8:30- Steve McDowell; 11am- Lynn Figura
Sat. Pianist- Barb Dreyer
8:30 Ushers- Figura family
Projectors- NO PROJECTORS THIS WEEK!!
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
NEWS:
VISITATION AND FUNERAL FOR ERNA VAN HORN ALL FRIDAY AT ST JOHN"S
Visitation: 11am-1pm
Funeral: 1pm
Burial in Warrenton City Cemetery: Immediately after funeral
Luncheon at St John's: immediately after burial
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
7th and 8th GRADERS WILL BE LEAVING AT 4PM ON FIRDAY FOR CAMP WINDERMERE!!
Please pray for safe travel and for a time of spiritual growth for all of these kids!!
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
NEXT WEDNESDAY'S MENU AND WORSHIP TEXT:
MENU: Mostaciolli, garlic bread, salad, dessert

WORSHIP TEXT: Psalm 142 "I Cry to You, O Lord"

___________________________________________________________________________________________
VENDOR FAIR AND TAILGATE SALE AND LADIES AID LUNCHEON AND BAKE SALE IS COMING SOON!! SATURDAY, MAY 3, 7am-2pm

Reserve an inside vendor table for $20 or a tailgate space for $10 by filling out a registration form in the church office. Inside tables will not be reserved until forms are filled out and paid for. First come first served!!
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE YOUR OFFERING DEDUCTED AUTOMATICALLY FROM YOUR BANK ACCOUNT???
The church council is researching an automatic electronic funds transfer option for members who wish to have their regular offerings deducted directly from their bank account. We would like to get a "feel" of whether or not enough members would be interested and willing to participate in this option. Please contact the church office or Alan Hofeldt directly if you think you would be a candidate for this service.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
TWO GROUP TRAVEL EVENTS COMING UP THIS YEAR!!
October 4--A DAY IN ST. LOUIS-- We will tour places that are hidden gems in St. Louis

December 6-- CATHOLIC RECTORY IN HERMANN AND POSSIBLY A CHRISTMAS SHOW IN OSAGE BEACH

Let Marilyn know if you are interested in either of these trip so she can make definite plans.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
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 9:1-41.

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

For the FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF ERNA VAN HORN who passed from death to eternal life on Tuesday.

For the FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF ROY SCOTT who passed from death to eternal life on SUnday and whose body was laid to rest yesterday.

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
.

THOSE WITH CANCER, the many among our family and friends who are struggling with cancer.

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Thurs. Mar. 27 , 2014

DEVOTION:   Saul replied, "When I saw that the men were scattering, and that you did not come at the set time, and that the Philistines were assembling at Mikmash, I thought, 'Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the Lord's favor.' So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering."
        "You have done a foolish thing," Samuel said. "You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the Lord's command."

How often do we do exactly what Saul did. We are impatient in our waiting for the Lord to do what He needs and wants to do for us and so we take matters into our own hand, sometimes doing things that go directly against God's will. We act dishonestly in our business just to get ahead. We turn to other worldly things for comfort and peace, because God is taking too long to give us the peace that we desire. We aren't getting the satisfaction out of the relationships that God has given us so we seek out other, ungodly relationships to fulfill our own wants and needs.

What Samuel says to Saul, he also says to us. If you would have just waited, if you would have been patient and looked for God to do His will, if you would have done God's will in this matter, he would have established you for all time.

Guess what, all of us fail so none of us will live forever. All of us are impatient little children who want what we want and want it right now. Sometimes it is best for us to wait. It is a good thing when we experience delayed gratification so that we actually appreciate what we do get.

We especially will benefit from that delayed gratification when it comes to our salvation. We wait as long as God sees fit for that day when we will no longer experience the effects of sin. And that is good, because we know, without a doubt, that God will do what He has promised for us. He always does!

Let us pray: Lord God, help me to be patient. Help me to give my needs and desires to you in prayer and then wait on You to do Your will in all of those circumstances. Amen.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________
YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: What was Samuel's dad's name? Elkanah
________________________________________________________________________________________
TODAY'S QUIZ: What was Samuel's mom's name?
___________________________________________________________________________________________
CALENDAR:
Tues- Quilters 9-2; Bible Study 11:30-12:15
Wed- Supper 5:30; Worship 6:30
Fri- Assemble newsletter 9am; Jr Hi kids leave at 4pm for Camp Windermere
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-- Dustin Toedebusch 11-- Devin Miller
Altar guild- Set up- Don and Dianne Hance; Clean up- Bett Schirr and Cheryl Bettlach
Greeters- 8:30- Rich and Peggy Talbert; 11- Pam Linke
Communion Assistants- Sat- John Hachtel; 8:30- Rich Talbert; 11- Jim Rahn
Lay Readers- Sat- John Hachtel; 8:30- Steve McDowell; 11am- Lynn Figura
Sat. Pianist- ????
8:30 Ushers- Figura family
Projectors- NO PROJECTORS THIS WEEK!!
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
NEWS:
VISITATION AND FUNERAL FOR ERNA VAN HORN ALL FRIDAY AT ST JOHN"S
Visitation: 11am-1pm
Funeral: 1pm
Burial in Warrenton City Cemetery: Immediately after funeral
Luncheon at St John's: immediately after burial
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
7th and 8th GRADERS WILL BE LEAVING AT 4PM ON FIRDAY FOR CAMP WINDERMERE!!
Please pray for safe travel and for a time of spiritual growth for all of these kids!!
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
NEXT WEDNESDAY'S MENU AND WORSHIP TEXT:
MENU: Mostaciolli, garlic bread, salad, dessert

WORSHIP TEXT: Psalm 142 "I Cry to You, O Lord"

___________________________________________________________________________________________
VENDOR FAIR AND TAILGATE SALE AND LADIES AID LUNCHEON AND BAKE SALE IS COMING SOON!! SATURDAY, MAY 3, 7am-2pm

Reserve an inside vendor table for $20 or a tailgate space for $10 by filling out a registration form in the church office. Inside tables will not be reserved until forms are filled out and paid for. First come first served!!
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WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE YOUR OFFERING DEDUCTED AUTOMATICALLY FROM YOUR BANK ACCOUNT???
The church council is researching an automatic electronic funds transfer option for members who wish to have their regular offerings deducted directly from their bank account. We would like to get a "feel" of whether or not enough members would be interested and willing to participate in this option. Please contact the church office or Alan Hofeldt directly if you think you would be a candidate for this service.
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TWO GROUP TRAVEL EVENTS COMING UP THIS YEAR!!
October 4--A DAY IN ST. LOUIS-- We will tour places that are hidden gems in St. Louis

December 6-- CATHOLIC RECTORY IN HERMANN AND POSSIBLY A CHRISTMAS SHOW IN OSAGE BEACH

Let Marilyn know if you are interested in either of these trip so she can make definite plans.
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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.
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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 9:1-41.

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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 the FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF ERNA VAN HORN who passed from death to eternal life on Tuesday.

For the FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF ROY SCOTT who passed from death to eternal life on SUnday and whose body was laid to rest yesterday.

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 ERNA VAN HORN who was put on hospice care due to severe inoperable intestinal issues.

THOSE WITH CANCER, the many among our family and friends who are struggling with cancer.

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St. John's Lutheran Church
Warrenton, MO