St. John's Lutheran ChurchWarrenton, MO

Daily Devotion: Monday, September 22, 2014

DEVOTION: Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to God, just as he had done before. Daniel 6:10-11

In our world today there is much opposition to Christianity. There are militant atheists who want Christianity and any reference to God or to Christ taken out of public policy and mainstream society. Yet, this is nothing to how Christians are being treated in other parts of the world. In parts of Africa and the Middle east you can actually be hunted down and murdered for your faith. You can truly be beheaded or crucified for being a believer in Christ.

This is nothing new. Daniel was facing the lion's den if he was caught praying. Yet, in his confidence that God would take care of him either in this life or in the life to come, he continued to pray. He didn't pray in secret. He didn't pray in his closet. He prayed with his windows open toward Jerusalem three times a day.

He was confident that his God was greater than any edict. He was confident in the fact that God loved him and cared for him and would see him through it, which if course he did in a most miraculous way.

In the face of opposition from every side, we need to remain confident that God will never leave us or forsake us, that He is stronger than man's strength, that He is wiser than man's wisdom, and that He is almighty and all loving! He loves you with an everlasting love and will either protect you from evil on this earth or take you to be with Him in heaven!

Either way you are good! Have peace in that today! Have joy in your salvation even in the midst of severe tragedy and trouble. Live in the grace of Jesus!

Let us pray! Lord God give us your power and grace to face this world head on with your mercy, grace, love, and truth. Amen.

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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: What was Matthew before Jesus called him as a disciple? tax collector

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TODAY'S QUIZ: What was Daniel's Babylonian name that was given to him?

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CALENDAR:

Mon- Confirmation class 5-6:15pm

Tues- Quilters 9-2; NO BIBLE STUDY; Praise Band Practice 6pm

Wed- Choir practice 7pm

Thurs- WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY!! 6:30
Fri- Assemble newsletter 9am; (pastor and others going to men's retreat)
Sat- NO BIBLE STUDY!!; Worship 5
Sun- worship 8:30; Bible Study and Sunday school 9:45; worship 11
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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS WEEK
Acolytes- 8:30- Lydia Miller 11- George Pezold
Altar guild- Set up- Ruth Walters; Clean Up-- Lynn Russell and Elaine Schauer
Greeters- 8:30- Lew and Dianne Feldkamp; 11- Joan Sexton
Communion Assistants- Sat- John Hachtel; 8:30- John Hachtel; 11- Jim Rahn
Lay Readers- Sat- John Hachtel; 8:30- Christine Winn; 11am- Jim Rahn
8:30 Ushers- Marv Hendershot, Don Luebke, Dave Callies, Don Nolte
Projectors- no projectors this weekend
Pianists/organists Sat- Molly Hendershot; Sun- Melissa Pedersen 11am- Praise band!!
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NEWS: (A LOT OF NEW NEWS TODAY SO PLEASE READ IT ALL!!!)

WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY STARTING THIS THURSDAY!!

A new Bible study specifically for women will begin this Thursday at 6:30pm at church called "One Thousand Gifts" by Ann Voskamp!! ALL WOMEN ARE INVITED!! Just show up!

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6-12 GRADERS ARE ALL INVITED TO GO PAINTBALLING AT WACKY WARRIORS THIS SATURDAY!!!

Please call Kelsey at 573-803-7826 or email her at koverbeck@live.com to reserve your spot and spots for your friends!

When?? 10:30 (Leave from church at 10am or meet there.)

How much??? It is $12.50 a person! Drivers are also needed!!

RSVP by Wednesday!!

INVITE YOUR FRIENDS!!

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PRAISE BAND IS PLAYING THIS SUNDAY IN THE 11am SERVICE!!!

Get excited and come out and join them in praising our God and Savior!

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A NEW BEGINNER KARATE CLASS IS STARTING AT ST. JOHN'S ON THURSDAY OCTOBER 2!!!

Check out all the info on the brand new website!! There are also intermediate and advanced classed available.

http://familykaratecenterwest.webs.com
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GROUP BUS TRIP FOR SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6 TO TOUR THE CATHOLIC RECTORY IN HERMANN AND GO TO OSAGE BEACH FOR DINNER AND A CHRISTMAS SHOW AT MAIN STREET MUSIC HALL!!
They are in need of more people to sign up!! If they don't get enough people the trip will have to be canceled!! Anyone can go!
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WORK DAY AND POTLUCK COMING UP SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5 BEGINNING AT NOON!
Meat and cheese trays, bread, and drinks will be provided!! Please sign up to come on the sign up sheet on the table int he narthex, and bring a dish to share!

Please be a part of this fun time of fellowship and work!

Below are the projects that we will be working on at church
1. Dirt work in the swaile between the Linke's property and the parking lot
2. Work on the lights at the north end of the building
3. Trim bushes around church building
4. clean out storage areas by pavilion
5. narthex flooring (pull up carpet, fix subfloor, and put down new flooring)
6. cleaning projects all around church (pews, shelves, closets, etc.)
7. Write "Thinking of You" and other encouragements to soldiers, college students, and shut ins.

There are also some projects that we will be working on at Good Shepherd in Wright City
1. parking stops need to be lined up and pinned down to keep them from moving
2. landscaping in front of building
3. Removing weeds from playground
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A NEW YEAR OF SUNDAY SCHOOL HAS BEGUN!!
Kids ages 3-18 will be going through a new, exciting, and fun curriculum based on stories from the Scriptures!! PLEASE GET YOUR KIDS AND GRANDKIDS TO SUNDAY SCHOOL!!!

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ANEW BIBLE STUDY ON HEAVEN WILL BE STARTING OCTOBER 4 and 5!! COME AND CHECK IT OUT!!
(This weekend (Sept. 28) Pastor Grund will be leading Bible study on a topic of his choice.)

On Oct. 4 and 5 we will be starting a new study titled "What is heaven like?" This study will be based on the Scriptures first and foremost and we will talk about the glory we will experience and the face to face contact we will have with Jesus.

Get out of the dark and into the light when it comes to your knowledge about paradise! Come and get all your questions answered!

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Kelsey updates our website weekly! Check it out!! www.stjohnwarrenton.org

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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 ED KOHRS as he is having a procedure today to remove fluid from his lungs in the hospital.

For Mary Aubuchon's sister, MARCILLE FORD, who is gravely ill and may be nearing the end of her life.

For KADELYN HUSTER recovering well from surgery. She may even go to school tomorrow.

For THE FAMILY OF NORMAN TEMME, especially Harold Temme and Lois Frick as they mourn his loss today.

For LIL WINTER as she is recovering from pneumonia.

For MARY STEMLER as she fell and suffered several cracked ribs.

For thanksgiving for PETE FRENZIA who is recovering well at home from knee replacement surgery.

For thanksgiving for MIM DUNN, as she is beginning to walk again with assistance.

For BILL WOOLF as he recovers from a broken ankle. He is working with it.

For FRANCES LAMKIN, Sandra Perricone's aunt, who is dealing with many health issues.

For our NATION'S MILITARY LEADERS AND SOLDIERS as they figure out what to do about the imminent threats from ISIS.

For HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF CHRISTIANS IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA, who are being persecuted to the point of death for their faith.

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Fwd: The Lutheran Hour: September 21, 2014

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

From: Lutheran Hour Ministries

Date:09/20/2014 9:16 PM (GMT-06:00)

To: revklaus@hotmail.com

Subject: The Lutheran Hour: September 21, 2014

The Lutheran Hour with Rev.Gregory Seltz

Sermon Text for September 21, 2014

"Rome: The Gospel Comes to Law and Order People"#82-03

Presented on The Lutheran Hour on September 21, 2014
By Rev. Gregory Seltz, Lutheran Hour Speaker
(The Gospel Goes To Rome, Is That Important?)
Copyright 2014 Lutheran Hour Ministries

Text: Acts 28:11-16, 28-31

Christ is risen, He is risen, indeed, and His message of grace is for all people, and by His grace He is here for you and me too. Amen.

Last week we spoke about the fact that "God is just that way;" meaning that He is willing to come all the way to where we are to bring us His undeserved grace and mercy in ways we can understand and receive. God is just that way, He doesn't wait for us to come to Him, He doesn't wait for us to be worthy of His grace; He comes, He lives, He dies, and He rises again so that we might be reconciled to Him. By God's grace, He builds bridges of His blessing to bring His mercy to each one of us, whether in simple towns, or hamlets, or even the greatest metropolises of our modern world. Why? God is just like that.

Did you ever hear about the organization that builds footbridges in Africa? It's called "Bridging the Gap Africa." The effort is based on the simple fact that most people in rural Africa walk everywhere they go. Families that live in the bush will spend an average of seventy-two hours each week walking places. This is the way of life and it serves the families well except for one complication: rivers. When the rains come and when the animals roam, rivers become dangerous and impassable. Rivers become barriers to food, healthcare, livelihoods, and education. So Bridging the Gap Africa builds footbridges. They estimate that 600 lives are saved each year by providing access from one place to another. Simple, yes, but heroic!

In the first century, God began to work at bridging the gap--not merely by constructing footbridges in remote communities, but by opening up access to the Good News of salvation for all people through Jesus Christ.

And, incredibly today we celebrate the fact that God even bridged the gap from the dusty countryside of Judea to the cosmopolitan center of the world at that time: the city of Rome. Yes, God brought the Gospel of Jesus to Rome. It was part of the fulfillment of Jesus' promise to the disciples before He ascended into heaven. Jesus said, "You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8).

Rome - for the world of that day, Rome was the ends of the earth. It as the city a top seven hills. Latin poet Tibullus called it "The Eternal City." Others called it the "capital of the world." Above all, it was the place of power; it was the place of law and order in the ancient world. On our "Footsteps of Paul" travels, we saw the ruins of the Coliseum, the triumphal arches of their military conquests, the vestiges of the Caesars and the Senate. Even to places like this...God bridged the gap.

Yes, God bridged the gap from Jerusalem, to Judea, to Rome and even more incredibly, to you and me. At this very moment you are hearing that God loves you, that He cares about you, that He paid the price to wash your sins away and give you a new beginning, a restored hope.

And this incredible outreach of grace into the non-Jewish or Gentile world was led by a person named Paul. Today we call him, the Apostle Paul, one who was sent to preach the Good News to places like Rome and beyond.

You may have heard of Paul. He too was a recipient of God's bridge-building grace. Before becoming a believer in Jesus, he was actually a persecutor of the church. He was a villain of the followers of Jesus. He seethed when he encountered people who followed Christ. He rejoiced when they were imprisoned, beaten, and even put to death. Paul was a brilliant student under the instruction of the Pharisees. He was all about the law--the Jewish ceremonial law. This law formed the identity of his people dating back to the great prophet Moses. The Pharisees developed hundreds of additional legal requirements to safeguard the purity and obedience of the Jewish people. Part of those legal requirements included staying away from foreigners--especially the pagan Roman people. These people were called Gentiles. Uttering the word "Gentile" caused derision and fury. Gentiles were unclean lawbreakers who had no worthy standing before the true God. At least, that's what the Pharisees taught.

One day, Paul--known at that time as Saul--was walking to the city of Damascus with letters of permission to imprison followers of Jesus. Suddenly a bright light blinded him and knocked him to the ground. A voice from heaven said, "Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?" (Acts 9:4; 22:7; 26:14)
Saul cried out in fear, "Who are you, Lord?" The voice replied, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting." Jesus went on to give startling instructions to Saul. He told Saul to go into the city of Damascus and be ready because now this righteous Pharisee, this learned scholar, this zealous persecutor of the followers of Jesus would be the one who brought Christ's Gospel message to the Gentiles.

Fearful, blinded, and helpless, Saul was led into the city. There, a man named Ananias healed his blindness and baptized him. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Saul spent time with the followers of Christ and started the long journey of being shaped by the Spirit of God into one of the greatest advocates of the crucified and risen Christ in all of history. Now, dear friend, this is one of the most radical stories of a changed life ever. It is a story of transformation, forgiveness, a second chance. And let me tell you this today, if God could build a bridge of grace to a person like Paul, if Saul the Christian persecutor, could be changed into Paul the Apostle of Christ for others, think of the change, the new beginnings possible for you today by that same grace of God.

Think about it, God changed a maniacal tormentor of people into a man who cared about the least of these. The man who ordered his life by laws and systems, by adhering to his plans and controlling his destiny; this law and order man who judged outsiders harshly was changed so much that by the gracious work of Jesus he declared to the law and order people of Rome: "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Greek" (Romans 1:16 NIV).

God bridged the gap to the heart of a man dead set against Him. And with that transformation, God was poised to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to places no one ever thought it could penetrate: and to proclaim even more boldly that Good News in the city of Rome.

But hear this, dear listener: this isn't a history lesson; this is an eternal message in history that was meant for you and me too. Today, will you let the God who redeemed and rescued Paul, build that same bridge of His grace and renewal into your life? His forgiveness of sin, His gift of faith in His grace; that is the transformation that is here for you today. All of us have our ways, our routines, our habits, our beliefs. We try to keep things in order, but what happens when things get bigger than we can control, as they always do?

The history of Rome teaches us that our plans can take us only so far, but God's eternal ways open doors to life beyond your imagination. This radically changed man, Paul, said it this way: "I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God" (Ephesians 3:17-19 NIV).

Rome, Romans needed the Gospel, and the Gospel came to Rome. Paul needed the Gospel, and the Gospel came to Paul. And, by God's grace, now Paul would begin a journey to share this grace with a Roman world that was, on one hand, satisfied with its laws, systems, wealth, and power, but, on the other hand, from God's perspective, oppressed, poor, and trapped in its political and spiritual emptiness.

How did Paul, a relatively insignificant Jewish man from the far away city of Tarsus, begin to have an impact on the capital of the Roman Empire? Even here, it's in ways that are beyond our understanding, for the message came through suffering and through the system to save the people of the system from the eternal suffering they deserved. Let me explain.

After Paul had taken a number of missionary journeys to Asia and Greece, he began a trip back to Jerusalem to bring offerings from believers to the poor and suffering Christians there. But it was a dangerous journey to travel back to this center of Jewish life, laws, and regulations. The Jewish leaders of the Pharisees and Sadducees were incensed because of Paul's contact with Gentiles around the world; even some Jewish Christians were bothered by it too. To make matters worse, religious officials from the towns Paul visited came to Jerusalem to hunt him down. They wanted him dead.

But Paul knew he couldn't run away. He had to face his tormentors and take a stand for the Gospel. So he went. It didn't take long for trouble to start. As Paul worshipped in the temple, religious authorities and the high priest dragged him into the streets. A violent riot started. Paul would have been killed if it weren't for the Roman soldiers who intervened. The Roman commander took Paul into custody for Paul's own safety. This was the beginning of Paul's long odyssey of being imprisoned, interrogated, and transported to Rome for a hearing before Caesar himself. The journey lasted for years. But through suffering, Paul made it to Rome.
While he was in the initial stages of imprisonment, as we hear in Acts 23: "The Lord stood by him and said, 'Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome'" (Acts 23:11ESV).

Sometimes God bridges gaps in the lives of others through your suffering and trial. Your first reaction to difficulty or hardship in life may be complaint, negativity, or grumbling. But it might be better to look deeper into your difficulty and ask, "What does this mean? What might God accomplish through this?"

You can be assured that the God, who endured the cross for you and me, He will always work to accomplish something in the midst of struggle. Even Paul said to the citizens of Rome in the book of Romans: "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28).

So, what does your difficulty mean right now? What might God do through your suffering or struggle? Will He draw you closer? Will He give you insight? Will He provide a platform for you to bless others? Will He allow you to see how He heals you and walks with you? God is in the bridge building business of blessing to you and through you to others.

God assured Paul that even through suffering he would have a pathway to bring the Gospel to Rome. This would not have been Paul's plan. I'm sure he wouldn't have designed the system, his ministry, this way. But we seldom--if ever--get to design the system that grows us or gives us remarkable opportunities. God, however, shapes our lives so that they can have a deeper meaning than we could ever imagine. The Lord crafts plans that have an eternal impact. Even Paul admitted to the Romans that God's ways are higher and richer than we could ever plan. He wrote: "Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! ... For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen" (Romans 11:32-36).

And so, the door to Rome was opened through suffering. But it was also opened through the system--the Roman legal system to be exact. The Roman Empire was a kingdom of law and order. Precise political structures permeated the nation. The judicial process for citizens was envied the world over. Citizens knew the perks of being a Roman. Insiders knew how to use this system for their personal benefits. And God knew that Paul, a Roman citizen by birth, could reach the highest officials of Rome with the Gospel only by being immersed in the system. So what began as a rabble in Jerusalem unfolded as a systematic legal procedure that allowed Paul to boldly bring the Good News of the risen Savior Jesus into the capital city of Rome, so that its entire empire would ultimately be transformed by this message of grace.

Do you see what happened? God used the culture to reach the culture. He used the system to open doors to reach the system. God got in. That's important news for you to know. Sometimes your best hope is not in escaping from your situation, but in embracing it. Sometimes you discover God's gracious blessing and plan not by getting away from your reality, but by digging into it and living it fully. That may be why Paul could proclaim in Romans, chapter eight: Who shall separate us from the love of God in Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, or sword? ...No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." And then he said these incredible words: "For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nothing in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 8:35, 37-39).

So God used this law and order of the empire to bring Paul to Rome. It started with a plot of forty Pharisees. They took a vow to ambush Paul and kill him as a religious rabble rouser. The Roman commander imprisoned Paul to calm the situation. But, when the politics of the day would have delivered him to Jerusalem as a sacrificial lamb of policy, Paul, a Roman citizen, appealed his case to Caesar. Every Roman citizen had the right to be heard by Caesar. Knowing that his life was in danger in Jerusalem, Paul made the plea. With that request granted, Paul began his journey to Rome. Along the way, he shared the Gospel with kings and commanders, centurions and sailors, island tribes and fellow prisoners. The system of law and order took Paul on a journey, a journey to proclaim the Gospel to a world whose problems were beyond mere law and order solutions.

God had bridged the gap from Jerusalem to Rome. He was bringing something new and life-giving to a law and order city--to a city, to a people that needed God's Good News in Jesus Christ.
Think about it this way, at the end of the book of Acts we hear about Paul in Rome: "He lived there two whole years... proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance" (Acts 28:30-31).

God bridged the gap; He brought eternal, glorious change even to Rome and its people. And because Rome was changing, the world was changing. And because the world was changing, the Gospel of Jesus Christ crucified and risen has even come to us; to you, to me. Dear friend, God has built a bridge of the Gospel into your life. I pray that you are never the same!

Amen.

LUTHERAN HOUR MAILBOX (Questions & Answers) for September 21, 2014
Topic: The Gospel Goes To Rome, Is That Important?

ANNOUNCER: The Gospel came to Rome and we are still feeling the effects of that encounter. I'm Mark Eischer, here with Pastor Gregory Seltz, continuing with our series of questions based on "the Footsteps of St. Paul." Pastor Seltz, last year, you visited places where the Apostle Paul proclaimed the Gospel. Why was his work in Rome so important?

SELTZ: First of all, Mark, Rome is both important and not-so-important at the same time.

ANNOUNCER: What do you mean?

SELTZ: Think about it, when we read or hear the Biblical accounts, we don't hear as much about what was happening in the broader world at the time that these Biblical events took place. In the recounting of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection in the New Testament, we hear references to the government at the time, but there really isn't an extended explanation of the political situation of the day.

ANNOUNCER: Because that's not the main purpose of the Bible.

SELTZ: Exactly. The main purpose of the Bible is to bring us the news of how God saved us from sin, culminating in the gift of His Son, and pointing us to Jesus' second coming. But humming in the background of Jesus' life was a dominating political realm: the Roman Empire.

ANNOUNCER: You wouldn't think a Carpenter from Galilee and His little band of followers would have had much impact on the mighty Roman Empire.

SELTZ: Right, and that's what makes this message so special. One of the beautiful and miraculous characteristics about the unfolding of Jesus' life, His ministry, and message is that His Good News of God's love and forgiveness overtook the citizens of the Roman world!

ANNOUNCER: Well, how did it happen?

SELTZ: By the time that Paul wrote the letter to the Romans, the Christian Church had already made its way to the capital of the Empire. After Paul's later arrival recorded at the end of the book of Acts, he was kept under house arrest for 2 years but was allowed visitors and was allowed to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus without hindrance. By his work, he surely solidified the church there.

ANNOUNCER: What were some of the barriers to Christianity in Rome?

SELTZ: The entire Roman world was founded on a pagan pantheon of gods. Temples to many gods were set up in every city. You're probably familiar with the names of some of these Roman gods: Apollo, Diana, Jupiter, Mars, Venus, Juno, Mercury, and Vulcan.

ANNOUNCER: I recognize some planets there.

SELTZ: Yeah, that's where we got the names. You see how those gods dominated the culture.

ANNOUNCER: But, was there also room for Christianity?

SELTZ: Actually, not at all. Several factors actually pushed against the Christian message. The gods of Rome were woven into every aspect of people's lives: family, business, friendships, and personal life. The Roman people didn't welcome a God who called for faith in Him alone as Savior. The people also didn't want to give up some of the superstitions and immoral practices that went along with their gods.

ANNOUNCER: And worshipping Jesus as Lord was, somehow, seen as being against Caesar.

SELTZ: Since Caesar was considered divine too, yes. As crazy as it sounds today, Christians were viewed not only as counter-cultural and counter-religious, but some Romans labeled them as atheists because they denied the Roman array of gods.

ANNOUNCER: So, how did Christianity make its way into this hostile environment?

SELTZ: We get an indication through Paul's journey to Rome. God intervened in some very special ways during Paul's journey there. Every time God intervened, the people surrounding Paul--soldiers, officials, and prisoners alike--began to believe in the true God who raised Jesus from the dead. And of course, Christians who journeyed to Rome, who settled down there....as they shared their faith in Jesus and His work on their behalf, Romans came to faith too.

ANNOUNCER: So, in this way, God used Paul, then, to undergird that growing group of believers right in the heart of the empire.

SELTZ: Yes, his earlier letter to the Christians in Rome is still one of the finest summaries of the predicament of humanity before God and God's miraculous salvation for all in the person and work of Jesus. Paul's personal presence in Rome helped. God did some incredible things that allowed Paul to be physically protected and to preach the Gospel of Jesus unhindered for two years in Rome--even as he was under house arrest. God was planting powerful seeds of the Gospel that would bear great fruit.

ANNOUNCER: And 300 years later, Christianity becomes the official religion of the Roman Empire.

SELTZ: Yeah, and who could have ever predicted that? But you see how significant Paul's journey there became! It lets us know that God uses us where we're at in small ways that can result in some very big things--bringing blessing to many as we share Christ's good news, even in Rome.

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.

"The Law of God Is Good and Wise" 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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Prayer request

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

From: Yahoo

Date:09/18/2014 4:45 PM (GMT-06:00)

To:

Subject: Prayer request

Please pray for Ann Panhorst for successful basal cell surgery in the temple area (no nerve damage or skin grafts) next Tues and Wed.

Daily Devotion: Thursday, September 18, 2014

DEVOTION: "For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even this that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God." 1 Corinthians 1:26-29

Christianity is not for the tough, the proud, or the self righteous. You read that right. If you are any of those things God is going to use the opposite of those things to bring you to your knees before him.

That's what I like and dislike about being a Christian. On the one hand there is no pretense. There is no richer people ruling the rest of it. Everyone in the church is equal. I like that a lot!

On the other hand, when I begin to think of myself as better than others because of my standing in the church or the fact that I am a pastor, God usually does something or lets something happen in my life that doesn't feel too good to bring me back down to reality. That stinks, because it is usually a time of discomfort and deep soul searching that I must go through to be brought to my own knees in repentance. It doesn't feel good to give up our own "comforts" and our own "ideas" in order for God to do what He needs to do in our hearts and in our lives.

On the other hand, when we do finally give it up, let go, and just get it all out there is this huge sense of relief, because it is so hard to hold on to our own self righteousness, it is so hard to keep up the façade, and it is just plain depressing to keep lying to ourselves and to God. "If we say we have not sinned, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us, but if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

God uses the faith of little children to show us what true faith should look like. He called nasty fishermen and tax collectors to be his disciples to show us that it doesn't require perfection to enter into Christ's presence. He uses a simple faith in all that He has done for us to bring us to eternal life so that we never begin to think that it is because we are better or have done more good!

Realize that you were nothing when God called you! Realize that you don't even deserve for God to give you a second thought. Bu then also realize that your worth is in Christ! Realize that God loved you so much that He sent His Son to die for you!

Prayer: Lord God, help me to always be humbled before you so that you can lift me up! Amen.

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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: How many chapters are in Job? 42

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TODAY'S QUIZ: What was Matthew before Jesus called him as a disciple?

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CALENDAR:
Fri- Bible Study at Hendershot's 7pm
Sat- NO BIBLE STUDY!!; Worship 5
Sun- worship 8:30; Bible Study and Sunday school 9:45; worship 11; Elder's meeting noon
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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS WEEK
Acolytes- 8:30- Gus Klaustermeier 11- Devin Miller
Altar guild- Set up- Terry McKenzie; Clean Up-- Terry McKenzie
Greeters- 8:30- John Fahrni; 11- Hendershots
Communion Assistants- Sat- Rich Boeger; 8:30- Rich Talbert; 11- Charlie Figura
Lay Readers- Sat- Marcai Sevier; 8:30- Jacob Nagel; 11am- Lynn Figura
8:30 Ushers- George Hoelscher, Gary Hoelscher, Ben HOelscher, Brent Davis
Projectors- Sat- Perricone; 8:30- Panhorst; 11- Zack Hoelscher
Pianists/organists Sat- Tim Sherman; Sun- Melissa Pedersen 11am- Doug Walters
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NEWS:

THERE WILL BE NO BIBLE STUDY FOR THE NEXT TWO SATURDAYS

This week I have a meeting scheduled, and next week I will be gone on the men's retreat. We will resume Saturday Bible class on Sat. Oct. 4 as we begin a new study on what the Bible says about heaven.
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GROUP BUS TRIP FOR SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6 TO TOUR THE CATHOLIC RECTORY IN HERMANN AND GO TO OSAGE BEACH FOR DINNER AND A CHRISTMAS SHOW AT MAIN STREET MUSIC HALL!!
They are in need of more people to sign up!! If they don't get enough people the trip will have to be canceled!! Anyone can go!
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WORK DAY AND POTLUCK COMING UP SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5 BEGINNING AT NOON!
Meat and cheese trays, bread, and drinks will be provided!! Please sign up to come on the sign up sheet on the table int he narthex, and bring a dish to share!

Please be a part of this fun time of fellowship and work!

Below are the projects that we will be working on at church
1. Dirt work in the swaile between the Linke's property and the parking lot
2. Work on the lights at the north end of the building
3. Trim bushes around church building
4. clean out storage areas by pavilion
5. narthex flooring (pull up carpet, fix subfloor, and put down new flooring)
6. cleaning projects all around church (pews, shelves, closets, etc.)
7. Write "Thinking of You" and other encouragements to soldiers, college students, and shut ins.

There are also some projects that we will be working on at Good Shepherd in Wright City
1. parking stops need to be lined up and pinned down to keep them from moving
2. landscaping in front of building
3. Removing weeds from playground
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A NEW YEAR OF SUNDAY SCHOOL HAS BEGUN!!
Kids ages 3-18 will be going through a new, exciting, and fun curriculum based on stories from the Scriptures!! PLEASE GET YOUR KIDS AND GRANDKIDS TO SUNDAY SCHOOL!!!
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COME AND CHECK OUT ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL!!
This weekend we are taking a look at Matthew, who he was and who God made him to be.

Next weekend (Sept. 28) Pastor Grund will be leading Bible study on a topic of his choice.

Get out of the dark and into the light when it comes to your knowledge about paradise! Come and get all your questions answered!

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PRAISE BAND COULD STILL USE MORE MUSICIANS AND SINGERS!!

If you play keyboard, guitar, or drums or you like to sing those contemporary worship songs. PLEASE COME TO PRAISE BAND PRACTICE ON TUESDAY NIGHTS AT 6PM!!! They want you there!!