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).
"Lift High the Cross"
August 13, 2014
For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18
Hundreds of Christians were present to defend the cross at the big church in Wenzhou, China.
Even so, those Christians caused no confrontation and respectfully stepped aside when hundreds of police came and, with a crane, removed the ten-foot-high cross from the top of the building's steeple.
Authorities told the Christians the cross was violating building height limits and gave it back to the distraught parishioners. More than 130 Protestant churches in the same region have also been notified their crosses are causing problems and will be removed.
When asked the reason these religious symbols are being taken down, officials reply they are enforcing building codes. When pressed for the specific building code which is being violated, they have often hemmed and hawed and then changed the subject.
Many Christians in China believe the removal of crosses has been the government's knee-jerk reaction to the phenomenal growth, which has been seen in the Christian church. No matter what explanation you accept, the fact is, the cross of Christ still comforts some and frightens others.
In recent months, I have received many reports which tell of how, in North America, crosses are being removed from churches. It's true; the cross -- which has always been the symbol of Jesus' sacrifice, which redeemed sinners from condemnation and rescued them from hell -- is being eradicated from the exteriors and altars of Christian buildings.
Of course, there is a difference between what is happening in China and what is occurring in North America.
In China, the cross is being removed because a godless government finds it offensive, while, in North America, churches are taking down their crosses because they think sinners might be offended by a religion which says, "Only through the sacrifice of the Savior can you be redeemed."
So, my friends, that's the state of things. The devil is coming up with all kinds of reasons to take down the symbol of the Savior's sacrifice, and Christians are finding only one reason for keeping the cross in place.
We lift high the cross because, like St. Paul, we know the cross is the power of God that brings forgiveness and salvation for all who believe.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, I give thanks for the cross. Although death on the cross was a despised and painful way to die, for me the Savior's cross has provided salvation, forgiveness and the promise of eternal life with You in heaven. May the things I do and say always lift high that cross. In Jesus' Name I ask it. 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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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).
"Lift High the Cross"
August 13, 2014
For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18Hundreds of Christians were present to defend the cross at the big church in Wenzhou, China.
Even so, those Christians caused no confrontation and respectfully stepped aside when hundreds of police came and, with a crane, removed the ten-foot-high cross from the top of the building's steeple.
Authorities told the Christians the cross was violating building height limits and gave it back to the distraught parishioners. More than 130 Protestant churches in the same region have also been notified their crosses are causing problems and will be removed.
When asked the reason these religious symbols are being taken down, officials reply they are enforcing building codes. When pressed for the specific building code which is being violated, they have often hemmed and hawed and then changed the subject.
Many Christians in China believe the removal of crosses has been the government's knee-jerk reaction to the phenomenal growth, which has been seen in the Christian church. No matter what explanation you accept, the fact is, the cross of Christ still comforts some and frightens others.
In recent months, I have received many reports which tell of how, in North America, crosses are being removed from churches. It's true; the cross -- which has always been the symbol of Jesus' sacrifice, which redeemed sinners from condemnation and rescued them from hell -- is being eradicated from the exteriors and altars of Christian buildings.
Of course, there is a difference between what is happening in China and what is occurring in North America.
In China, the cross is being removed because a godless government finds it offensive, while, in North America, churches are taking down their crosses because they think sinners might be offended by a religion which says, "Only through the sacrifice of the Savior can you be redeemed."
So, my friends, that's the state of things. The devil is coming up with all kinds of reasons to take down the symbol of the Savior's sacrifice, and Christians are finding only one reason for keeping the cross in place.
We lift high the cross because, like St. Paul, we know the cross is the power of God that brings forgiveness and salvation for all who believe.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, I give thanks for the cross. Although death on the cross was a despised and painful way to die, for me the Savior's cross has provided salvation, forgiveness and the promise of eternal life with You in heaven. May the things I do and say always lift high that cross. In Jesus' Name I ask it. 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 many days after Easter did Jesus ascend into heaven? 40______________________________________________________________________________________TODAY'S QUIZ: Where were the disciples when the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost?____________________________________________________________________________________CALENDAR:Thurs- First day of school for Warren County RIII; Little Lambs Open House 8-11am
Sat- Golf Outing 7am-1pm; Bible Study 4; Worship 5; baptism of Lilly Nordwald 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30; Voter's meeting 9:45; Sunday school 9:45; worship 11
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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS WEEK
Acolytes- 8:30- Sophie Tinnin 11- Jacob Winn
Altar guild- Set up- Ruth Walters; Clean Up-- Pam Linke
Greeters- 8:30- Rich and Peggy Talbert; 11- Tom and Pam Linke
Communion Assistants- Sat- Dave Winter; 8:30- Steve Robine; 11- Jim Rahn
Lay Readers- Sat- Sandra Perricone; 8:30- Steve Robine; 11am- Jim Rahn
8:30 Ushers- Don Hance, Rich Boeger, Don Weigle, Don Tate
Projectors- Sat- Perricone; 8:30- Terry McKenzie; 11- ????
Sat pianist- Tim Sherman; Sun- Melissa Pedersen
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NEWS:GOLF OUTING THIS SATURDAY, AUGUST 16!!!If you haven't signed up yet, please do so with the names of the people on your team to Alan Hofeldt by WEDNESDAY!!Event Coordinator636-456-3070_____________________________________________________________________________________________VOTERS MEETING THIS SUNDAY AT 9:45!!!VOTERS’ ASSEMBLY AGENDASunday, August 17, 20149:45 a.m.1. Call to order: Terry Russell2. Opening devotion: Pastor Klaustermeier3. Minutes of the May 18, 2014 Regular Meeting4. Staff ReportsA. Pastor’s report:Official Acts since the May 18, 2014 meeting:*Membership changes:• Received by Affirmation of Faith:• Dane& Jodi Baldwin 5/25/2014• Received by Adult Confirmation:• Mary Stemler 6/22/2014Received by Transfer:John & Erica McGowan & Patrick & Rileyfrom Zion Lutheran, Alexander, Arkansas 5/16/2014• Baptisms:• Infants: None• Children:• Katelyn& Isabelle Morris 8/10/2014Deaths:Ben Frick Died 6/8/2014 Funeral 6/12/2014Margaret Kohrs Died 6/12/2014 Funeral 6/19/201Wilma Smith Died 8/6/2014 Funeral 8/12/2014– Current membership (reflecting above changes)
Baptized----537CommunicaB. Music Director: Barb DreyerC. C. Church Office Administrator: Marilyn Foster
D. DCE Intern: Kelsey Overbeck5. Reports of Officers, Boards, and Committees:A. Financial Secretary’s report: Richard Boeger (Report attached)B. Treasurer’s report: Donna Lindsey (Reports attached)Page 2 – Voters Agenda – August 17, 2914C. Board of Elders’ report: John Hachtel, ChairmanD. Board of Trustees’ report: Brett Nordwald, ChairmanE. Board of Christian Education report: Christine Winn, ChairpersonF. Board of Christian Outreach report:G. Board of Christian Stewardship report: Alan Hofledt, ChairmanH. Committee Reports:Little Lambs Committee Report: Barb Hargrove, PresidentThrivent Financial for Lutherans chapter report: Rich BoegerGood Shepherd report: Don LuebkeBuilding & Finance Committee report: Kent JacobsmeyerI. Other reports?Stephen Ministry - Joanne Hachtel6. Unfinished business:7. New business:A. Nominations for President and Vice President of the Missouri DistrictB. Volunteers to help with the Church picnic on Sunday, September 7 at Mim Dunn's houseC. Any other New Business?8. Next Regular Meeting: Sunday, November 16, 2014 - 9:45 a.m.9. Adjourn10. Closing Prayer: Pastor Klaustermeier______________________________________________________________________MEN'S RETREAT COMING UP Friday, Sept. 26- Sunday Sept. 28 AT MARK TWAIN LAKE!!Go to t3mensretreat.org for all the info you will need and to sign up!It would be wonderful to get a big group of guys from St. John's to go! I never miss it!______________________________________________________________LABOR DAY FLOAT TRIP-- Float trip will be through Ozark Outdoors. Meet at the river at 10am for a 4 mile float. Please contact Teresa Scott to sign up. She can be reached by email at tscott@usmo.com, cell phone or text at 636-359-5041 or at Schraer heating and air conditioning at 636-456-5041. When signing up, [please provide your best phone contact number and email address, if you have one. More info to follow.
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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 MIM DUNN, as she is recovering from a broken pelvis.
For JONAS BORCHERT as he recovers from surgery to remove a lobe of his lung due to cancer and as he awaits word on a new course of treatment.
For the community of FLORRISANT, as they deal with the civil unrest, rioting, and looting that went on there last evening and continues today.
For HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF CHRISTIANS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA, who are being persecuted to the point of death for their faith.
For NANCY SPINIOLAS as she recovers from a car accident and a fall.
For RICK SPINIOLAS as he continues to deal with pancreatic caner and the effects of the chemo on his body.
For the FAMILY OF WILMA SMITH as they have their visitation today and her funeral tomorrow.
For the ELCAN FAMILY, as they mourn the loss of Chris's 14 year old cousin.
For JOHN AND JOANNE HACHTEL, and their family, as they mourn the loss of John's brother Rudie.
For the BOEGER family as they mourn the loss of her uncle.
For ED KOHRS who is hospitalized from a minor fall last week, but is doing well.
For LYNN MESSER, a friend of Jo Fahrni, who went missing this past week, that she will be found safe and well very soon.
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"For I the LORD do not change. ...." Malachi 3:6a