St. John's Lutheran ChurchWarrenton, MO

Fwd: The Lutheran Hour: January 11, 2015

The Lutheran Hour with Rev.Gregory Seltz

Sermon Text for January 11, 2015

"Are You Qualified?" #82-19

Presented on The Lutheran Hour on January 11, 2015
By Rev. Gregory Seltz, Lutheran Hour Speaker
(How Can I Connect With My Baptism Daily?)
Copyright 2015 Lutheran Hour Ministries

Text: Romans 6:1-11

The Apostle Paul writes.... "Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life."

Christ is risen, He is risen indeed, and believers live in the power of His grace now and forever. Amen.

Unqualified: that's a word that people never want to hear, do they, especially when they're seeking a job. The New Year is a time to tweak the resume, isn't it? My daughter has a new position at the University of Missouri, St. Louis, and one of her jobs is to help people prepare their resumes, to prepare for that job interview, to get them ready. She knows that she is helping people reach for their dreams, their goals, and she knows what her students are up against.

She told me that, according to the research, a potential employer looks at the resume for an average of only six seconds. That's right, in the time that it takes you to pour a cup of coffee, an employer will evaluate your entire life! In just six fleeting seconds, he or she will determine if you make the cut--if you're qualified for a position or not. I pray for her work, I know she wants her students to be ready, to be prepared.

But vying for a job even has more challenges doesn't it? Even if you are prepared, even if you get past the first cut, eventually it comes down to this; do you have what it takes to qualify for the job? Do you measure up? Are you qualified?

On some days you may answer with a confident "Yes!" But there are those other days when you don't feel so self-assured, when your weaknesses seem to stand out, and when rejection gets you down.

Do you measure up? We live in a world that's constantly evaluating us whether we like it or not.

Some people think that God is like that. That He is always evaluating us. That He is like a disinterested boss who barely gives us a nod, One that we have to conjole, to even harass to get His attention towards us. And if we get His attention, well, He's always judging, He's always trying to trip us up.

But that is the exact opposite of the spirit of the God of the Bible. He's not the One seeking to cramp your style or to trip you up; you and I do that on our own. Sin destroys and we are sinful people. That's why the Apostle Paul proclaims a whole new way of life, a life with God that is exciting; it is powerful in grace, one that through the power of baptism in His Name breaks us from the power of sin and guilt, to live abundant lives in Christ for others!

After rejoicing in God's grace for six chapters in the book of Romans; Paul, after being immersed in the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ for all people, he asks this question: "What shall we say then?"

This sounds a little bit like a New Year's life-evaluation question, doesn't it? It is asking how a person can move forward from the old life to the new, from a life of sin to a life of grace, from a life of hopelessness and hopeless frustration to a life of encouragement and hope. Some thought, God's good news meant that they could now sin even more, sin all they wanted; but they missed the point; God had a whole, new way of life for them.

That question also sounds like a resume question, too, doesn't it? What are we qualified to do? With all the old, broken, rebellious failures in our lives; with our poor track record and needy natures, what are we supposed to do in order to live in God's forgiving and renewing grace? How can we measure up? Do we stay in our old sinful lives so that God's grace might abound? Do we hang on to our flawed resumes so God might somehow show mercy, even more mercy to us?

That was the common idea in the culture in Paul's day. The Apostle Paul lived during the Roman Empire in the first century A.D. Roman spiritual practices at that time were immoral and self-indulgent. Living in impurity and pleasing yourself was said to be a way of connecting with the gods and unleashing gusto and power for life. But the more people became steeped in practices that served themselves, the more society became fragmented and corrupt. Their own relationships deteriorated. Life was empty, bleak, and filled with regret.

This trend still happens today, doesn't it? It may not be driven by a group of Roman gods, but holding on to our flawed resumes with the hope that more self-indulgence will fulfill us, it runs rampant today. A few years ago, the word "YOLO" became popular. It means, "You only live once." A rap song popularized the expression to the point that YOLO became an excuse for people to do dangerous and unwise things. But for a while it captivated people. Living for the moment was a way to escape the burdens of life. YOLO became the slogan of people looking for freedom and zest in life. News reports of senior citizens gambling away their savings with big smiles and declaring "YOLO," it showed up on television. Video coverage of young people forsaking jobs so they could dance the night away that filled the airwaves. But it only led to temporary pleasure. Ultimately it resulted in emptiness and regret.

How are you living for the moment? You may not be taking daring risks or dancing the night away, but perhaps you're seeking short-term satisfaction alone. Your gossip or vengeful conversation makes you feel better about yourself while you put somebody else down. Carelessness toward your family is causing long-term wounds while you seek immediate accolades or gain. Thoughtless stewardship of your resources lets you enjoy life now, but it puts the future in jeopardy for others. Selfishness makes you feel better, but it hurts the people around you. A YOLO life ultimately interferes with the purpose for life that God intended for you.

Let me say it straight from God's Word, you don't only live once. You have an eternity before you. It is either an eternal life with the Savior God or an eternal death in painful separation from Him. And if our eternity is determined by our own resumes, by our own accomplishments and level of our personal purity, we're all in serious trouble.

Be honest, what's on that resume? You see, no matter what we've accomplished or how great we appear to be on the outside, there are plenty of failures, fumblings, short circuits, and shortsighted actions that are a part of our lives. It's true for me and it's true for you. Before the Holy God our resumes don't look so hot.

Even the writer of Psalm 130 said it this way, "If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand?"(Psalms 130:3 NIV)

He's right. We are all unqualified for God's gracious favor. We don't measure up to what God requires of us. The sad truth is that our flawed resume means life is lost. Later in Romans, chapter six, Paul said it boldly: "The wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23).

But before you give up hope, let me offer a word of encouragement. Your flawed and incomplete resume does not have the last word! The Apostle Paul did say the wages of sin is death, but he also added: "But the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord"K/i> (Romans 6:23). There is another item on your resume that changes everything. In fact, by faith in Jesus, God provides a whole new resume for your life now and forever.

Did you hear the Apostle Paul say it again and again in Romans, chapter six? Listen to what he says is on your resume and how it got there. He says, "Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life." And he goes on to say, "For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him" (Romans 6:3-8).

What does the Word of God include, then, on your resume? Death, yes, and resurrection, yes! That's right, you died and you have been raised to life. The wages of your sin is death and that price has been paid.

Paul says it clearly: "All of us who have been baptized into Christ we were baptized into his death...We were buried therefore with him by baptism."

You see, baptism puts your sinful self to death. The miraculous gift of being baptized connects you in a gracious and supernatural way with Jesus' death. When you are baptized, your old self is crucified with Him. You die with Him. Death is on your resume. Sin's rebellious price has been paid. The Bible is emphatic on this. Paul says it five times in Romans, chapter six! Your old self has died. It was buried. It was crucified with Christ and in Christ that death means new life.

All this happened to you through the power of being washed in God's Name in baptism. It's a miracle, but it's a reality through this gift from God to you. Think about it. Every failure and foul-up, every reason for guilt, every flaw and cause for pain, every misdeed, and every intentionally rebellious act, all have been put to death through the gift of your baptism as God Himself connects you to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ!

When the devil shouts that you deserve eternal death for your sin, you can reply, "Been there, done that through Jesus Christ." When your conscience assails you because of your sin, you can say, "But that was punished by death in my baptism. It's over." When your sinful flesh pulls you toward an old life of corruption, impurity, or meanness, you can declare, "My old self was crucified with Jesus! I am no longer a slave to that sin! I have been set free through baptism and I walk in the newness of life in Christ!"

When God looks at your resume and sees the record of sins, He also sees that those sins have been paid for because in your baptism you have been crucified with His only Son Jesus. You died. The price has been paid. But, there are a lot of people who think that this is only what God is about. Like a judge in court, yes, He gets real with us; He shows us our sins, what we really are, declares us done, declares us dead, that's it.

Well if that's it, what a sorry life that would be. Reminds me of a man named Donald E. Miller, Jr. Twenty years ago, Mr. Miller was declared dead after he disappeared. It turns out that Mr. Miller wanted to avoid child support responsibilities for his two daughters. After his disappearance, his wife asked a judge for the declaration of death so her daughters could receive Social Security benefits. Twenty years later, Donald E. Miller, Jr. showed up again. He had drifted in hiding for two decades, but now wanted a driver's license and a new Social Security number. So, he asked a judge to be declared alive again. The judge turned him down. Mr. Miller was stuck as a legally dead person in the state of Ohio.

Now, he's not the only one left for dead. Laura Todd, according to government records, she was also dead, declared dead. But Laura, who is very much alive, she protested the status. Ms. Todd was inadvertently declared dead when her Social Security number was typed into the death record of another person. When she wasn't able to collect her tax rebate, she discovered the error and fought to be declared alive. The battle lasted for eight years.

Some people think that God is like these judges. Once He declares you dead, that's it. But that misses the whole point of the Bible. Yes, we are dead in our trespasses and sins; yes we were buried with Christ in baptism, but all that was all for the purpose of God giving us eternal, abundant life in Christ forever. When life and salvation depend on God's work on your behalf, there is hope to live now; there is power to overcome struggles and temptation; there is joy in the midst of all circumstances.

God didn't stop with a reality check about your life; He went on to earn an eternal life for you on the cross, through the resurrection, and through His baptizing you, He not only connected you to His death, He connected you to His resurrection life too. You don't have to petition Him for life; He's here right now to gift you with it and He's in His church where He'd like to pour it all over you in baptism.

By the grace of God, through the death and resurrection of Jesus your Savior, in your baptism you have died and been raised to life. You are a new creation in Christ Jesus. Today you have a new beginning. Because of Jesus' work on your behalf, your life resume does not just consist in a broken record of sin. Your resume has both death and resurrection on it. By God's grace, as a free gift, you have been qualified for eternal life with your Savior. You have also been freed from the guilt, and shame, and slavery that comes with sin. Romans 6 says: "We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you must also consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus" (Romans 6:9-11).

Today, dear listener, you can be alive to God in Christ by faith. Through His gift of baptism to you, you can have new hope, a new purpose, and a new lease on your life.

Just think about it, think about how amazing life can be when you live in the reality that death is defeated and the fear of death is vanquished.

Do you know who David Menasche is? David was an English teacher at a high school in Miami. For fifteen years he taught student after student. He impacted 3000 young people during the course of his career. Then, at age forty, David was diagnosed with brain cancer. As he received treatment, he kept teaching. But after the cancer took away his ability to be in the classroom, David decided to visit his students to see if he made a difference in their lives.

His students welcomed him with open arms. One student commented: "You may not remember anything about his class, but you remember him. You remember his enthusiasm; you remember his intelligence. You remember the fact that he just sort of created an environment where you wanted to learn."

Another said of Menasche, he was "one of the few teachers I felt who were really present. I've had great teachers in my life, but he was really present in the moment."

David realized that death was not the greatest factor in his life anymore, and it allowed him to share his life in a new and special way. That view of things; that makes all the difference.

But it's also true for your life. When death is no longer the greatest factor in your life, when sin and failure, hurt and brokenness are not what predominate, when the difference Jesus made on the cross and in your baptism, when that predominates in your life, that's when you really begin to live.

That's what God wants for you today, to walk in the newness of life that He provides, to make Jesus' difference possible in the lives of people all around you. That's the hallmark of God's people. It is the distinctive feature of your resume for a New Year. You have died and have been raised to life. You now have a new life to be lived for others!

As I was thinking about this message, I thought maybe you want to be baptized. If you do, please call Lutheran Hour Ministries so we can refer you to a church nearby where you can hear more about it and receive that gift for yourself. It's a blessing from God that brings new life.

But know this today, my friend, by God's grace through faith; you have death and resurrection on your resume by faith. Life is brand new in Him. Remember that in this New Year. In Christ, the old is gone. Death no longer rules. You've got death and resurrection on your resume through Jesus Christ, through your baptism. It's time to live your new life today and forever!

Amen.

LUTHERAN HOUR MAILBOX (Questions & Answers) for January 11, 2015
Topic: How Can I Connect With My Baptism Daily?

ANNOUNCER: How does one's baptism connect with everyday life? That will be our question today for Pastor Gregory Seltz. I'm Mark Eischer. Pastor, how can our listener connect with their baptism on a daily basis? And why is that a good thing?"

SELTZ: Wow, Mark, it sounds like our listener has been reading Martin Luther! In fact, he encouraged every Christian to get up each morning, make the sign of the cross, and then remember the gift of new life that we received in baptism.

ANNOUNCER: So baptism is not just an event that took place somewhere in our past.

SELTZ: No way, while it is meant to be a one-time event from Christ through His Church to you; the impact of baptism lasts a lifetime. Let me make sure our listeners understand the blessing of baptism, being washed in the Name of God with water, before we talk about remembering it each day. Jesus gave the gift of Baptism as a conduit of His grace and as a tangible connection point with Him in our lives of faith.

ANNOUNCER: We call this a "means of grace."

SELTZ: Yes, a gift that Christ chooses to convey His cross-earned grace to you personally. Like Peter says in 1 Peter 3, "baptism saves us (vs.21)." In other words, the benefits of Christ's resurrection are put into our lives when we are baptized. We receive the forgiveness of sins and the gift of eternal life. That's what Peter declared to the crowds in Acts 2:38. Baptism would bring the gift of forgiveness and the Holy Spirit to the people. Baptism is a tool or a means by which God chooses to make His salvation personal to us.

ANNOUNCER: You also said that it is a tangible connection point in our life of faith. Could you explain that?

SELTZ: Definitely. Baptism serves as a real, physical, and outward connection point with God. God doesn't just come to us simply with ideas; He comes to us with tangible blessings. Baptism is one of those.

ANNOUNCER: Right. You can feel and hear the water.

SELTZ: You can hear and see the promise of God connected to it. The act of baptism is one we can recall and rejoice in. If you ever doubt God's presence or grace in your life, you can say, "Wait a minute, I've been baptized! I am a precious child of God." Your new life in Christ is not simply an idea. It is an action that God took for you, witnessed by others and celebrated by His people.

ANNOUNCER: And how can our listener connect with that precious gift every day?

SELTZ: A good start is by taking Martin Luther's advice. Every morning and evening, a person can make the sign of the cross, the same sign placed over you in your baptism, and remember that God made you His own, forgave your sins, gave you the gift of His Holy Spirit in Baptism. In fact, every time water washes you throughout the day, you are reminded of how the Name of God was washed into your life for your forgiveness and salvation.

ANNOUNCER: But, it's not the water alone, it's God's Word connected to that water that gives baptism the power to forgive and save.

SELTZ: That's right, but God chose the water, too, to deliver His Name to you in a unique, personal way. So, yes, remember your baptism, remember the power of God's Name, and remember the verses that tell you of this blessing.....like Romans chapter six, where it says, "Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we might too walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:3-4 ESV).

ANNOUNCER: Certainly, those are encouraging words to start the day. What other verses might you recall?

SELTZ: I like the simplicity and confidence of Mark 16:16 when Jesus said: "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved."

ANNOUNCER: And how about Galatians 3:27: "For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ."

SELTZ: Another great one. In fact, all these verses make the gift of baptism come alive each day. They allow you to start and end the day with confidence in your Savior Jesus and with certainty about God's faithful work in your life.

ANNOUNCER: Any other advice about remembering and connecting to our baptism?

SELTZ: If any listener is struggling and has not been baptized, I would hope and pray they would get in touch with us or a Lutheran church nearby for baptism.

ANNOUNCER: Because it's a gift too wonderful to miss.

SELTZ: Absolutely, and for those who are baptized listeners, I would encourage them to remember who you are. You are not meaningless specks in a chaotic universe; you're not fending for yourselves out there. You are the precious, baptized people of God, redeemed, and restored, and empowered for life in Him.

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.

"Baptized Into Your Name Most Holy" arr. Henry Gerike. Used by permission.

"To Jordan's River Came Our Lord" From The Concordia Organist (© 2009 Concordia Publishing House)

"God's Own Child, I Gladly Say It" From The Concordia Organist (© 2009 Concordia Publishing House)

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Steak Dinner Tickets Go On Sale This Weekend!

Please remember to bring your checkbook or cash this weekend to get your tickets for the Annual Steak Dinner and Auction!!!

Tickets for the dinner are $25 per person.

Bid tickets only are also available.

Ticket for a $500 Open Hearts Raffle are also being sold. $10 per ticket or 11 tickets for $20!!!

prayer request : William Fischer

Please keep Mr. William Fischer in your prayers this weekend. William Fischer is Randy Sr's dad. He's hospitalized due to respiratory issues. Please keep the Fischer family in your prayers also due to concerns over William's age and other health issues.

Blessings

Pastor

Prayer request

Please pray for Sarah Stevens (Dave and Linda Callies granddaughter) and the rest of her family as she lost her baby yesterday. She was about 2 months along.

Music Trivia Night Fundraiser for @Warrenton Bands

Anyone want to get in on a table with the Klaustermeiers?

Below is the information:

2nd Annual
Music Trivia Night

Hosted by Warrenton Band Boosters

Saturday Feb 28, 2015 7 pm

American Legion Hall – Warrenton

 Adults Only (no outside alcohol)

 $100 per table (8-10 per table)

 Popcorn / Tea / Lemonade Provided

 Table Decoration Contest (100% payback) $10 to enter (music theme)

 Legion will provide bar service

 Booster concessions (soda,water,candy, etc)

 Silent Auction

 50/50 & other games of fun!

 Mulligans

For more information or to reserve your table (cash, check or charge accepted) email warrentonbandboosters@gmail.com

Daily Devotion: Wednesday, January 7, 2015

"Showing Jesus"
January 7, 2015

Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples, but the LORD will arise upon you, and His glory will be seen upon you. And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. Isaiah 60:1-3
This year the government of Sierra Leone banned Christmas.

In the past, some governments have put a kibosh on the festivities surrounding the Savior's birth because they didn't like the competition. Other governments, motivated by the religious non-Christian majority of their populace, just didn't want anybody to hear any mention of the Savior.

Sierra Leone's motivation was different. You see, Sierra Leone has passed Liberia as being the country with the greatest number of Ebola outbreaks.

As the president of the country said, "When you have parties, the risks are very high. We are very anxious to break the chain of transmission through parties and gathers." To that end, troops patrolled the streets to make sure the populace stayed away from any worship experience.

The same kind of thing once happened in the United States. That's right. It happened during the flu epidemic of 1917-1918. For those of you, who don't know, let me share. This flu was unique. It didn't take the old and infirm; it specialized in killing those who were young and healthy.

To stop the spread of that illness, many large communities decided, for a short time, to ban all forms of public worship. It was a difficult time for Christian congregations. At the very time when they felt people should be turning to the Lord and supporting each other, they were prohibited from doing so.

So what did they do? Did the churches forget the Savior's birth, life, death and resurrection?

They did not. What they did was this: they kept the lights of their churches burning 24 hours a day. Then they took out newspaper ads encouraging people to take an evening walk past the church. They suggested people might pay special attention to, and meditate upon, the message of God's love, which was on display in the congregation's stained-glass windows.

Many people took the suggestion and saw the Christ and His church in a different way.

Now I don't know what the believers of Sierra Leone did this past Christmas season. On the other hand, I do know the Holy Spirit can do some of His best work when human conditions are at their worst. It is then that He can motivate the redeemed to come forward and share the Savior's story of salvation in new ways, unique ways, different ways.

This is all just another way of saying, a government can shut down Christmas, but it can't silence the comfort and hope that comes in the Christ.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, You have reached out to me through my Savior. Now may believers around the world reflect the wonders of Your great grace to those who remain lost. 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 ANSWER:    Who was Eliezer of Damascus? Another good answer from Dianne Hance: Genesis 15:2 "But Abram said, 'O Sovereign Lord, what can you give me since I remain childless and the one who will
inherit my estate us (wait for it....) Eliezer of Damascus."  God took Abram outside and told him to count the stars if he
could. "So shall your offspring be". However, Sarai, Abram's wife took matters into her own hands and told Abram to
go and sleep with her maidservant; perhaps she can build a family through her. Thus Abram's first son, Ishmael was
born.

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TODAY'S QUIZ: Who visited Abraham to tell him that Sarah was going to have a child?
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CALENDAR:
Wed- Jonesburg Nursing Home worship 10:30; Choir 7
Thurs- Karate 5pm; Praise Band practice 6pm
Sat- Men's breakfast 8am; Worship 5pm
Sun- Worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; Worship 11; Elder's meeting noon
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WORSHIP WORKERS:
Acolyte- 8:30- Devin Miller, 11- George Pezold
Ushers- Dave Winter, Gary Scott, Larry Schulze, Scott Schulze
Altar- Set up- Marilyn Foster and Sue Ruhl; Clean Up- Joanne Hachtel
Communion Assistants- Sat- Jim Rahn; 8:30- Rich Talbert; 11- Steve McDowell
Greeters- 8:30- Erv Yoder 11- Robines
Lay readers- Sat- Jim Rahn; 8:30- Steve McDowell; 11- Kailyn Blechle
Sat Pianist- Kathy Barrow
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NEWS:
MEN'S BREAKFAST SATURDAY AT 8am
Menu: Pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage

Bible Study- What does the Bible say about homosexuality and how should we as Christians deal with issues concerning it?

Please let me know if you are coming and invite friends and your sons/grandsons
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SUNDAY SCHOOL HAS RESUMED!! it is EVERY SUNDAY at 9:45
Just because the Christmas program is over doesn't mean that Sunday school is.

Parents, please be faithful in getting your kids to Sunday school! It is very important that they grow in their faith on an ongoing basis! Plus our Sunday school teachers really want to see them and teach them all about God!

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ADULT BIBLE CLASS HAS RESUMED!
We began our study of the book of Acts Sunday! Now's the time to get back into Bible study! Please consider coming and being a part of it.
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OFFERING ENVELOPES ARE STILL UP IN THE NARTHEX!!
Some of you still need to pick up your offering envelopes. Please get to church and do so ASAP!
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A VOLUNTEER IS STILL NEEDED TO BE A DELEGATE TO THE MISSOURI DISTRICT CONVENTION IN SPRINGFIELD, MO JUNE 14-16

All voting members (men or women) are eligible. In order for our congregation to have a complete voice we need to have complete representation! Please call me or reply to this email if you would like to serve your church in this way!!

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PRAYER REQUESTS:

For LISA PEZOLD AND HER FAMILY as Lisa's dad passed away yesterday.

For CLAIRE JOHNSON who is recovering from a bad car accident at SSM Rehab/Nursing home in Wentzville.

For DANIELLE MEINE, a high school senior and friend to many in the congregation, who is dealing with cancer.

For TODD PONDER, former band teacher/director and friend to many at St. John's, who suffered a massive stroke and can't do anything but move his eyes. He is unable to breathe on his own. Here is a link to a fund that was started to help the family as they will have astronomical hospital and rehab bills for a long time to come. At the bottom of the page it also has updates as to his progress. http://www.gofundme.com/hp1ed8?pc=mb_em

For OUR CONTINUED FREEDOM OF RELIGION AND SPEECH in the United States, that we would continue to be able to freely speak the truth even in the face of opposition.

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

For MILLIONS OF CHRISTIANS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, who are being persecuted to the point of death for their faith.

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Daily Devotion: Tuesday, January 6, 2015

ST. JOHN'S MISSION STATEMENT
As the body of Christ, we strive to make disciples of all, focusing on the next generation, through growing...
UP in God's Word and Sacrament
OUT into the community by caring for physical and spiritual need
TOGETHER in fellowship to build lasting relationships in Christ
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DEVOTION: After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision. "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward." Genesis 15:1

Do you like rewards? Usually rewards are earned. You get rewards on your credit cards by using them and spending so much money. You get a reward at your job by working hard, doing the right things, going the extra mile, and doing well at your job. You get a reward in a sport by winning.
        With God it is different. In fact, look at what it says above. God tells Abram "I am your reward." Usually we think of God giving us things as our reward. he gives us all that we need for this body and life. he gives us peace. He gives us forgiveness. He gives us love. We think of those as the rewards of God, but really God Himself is our shield and our very great reward. We don't need stuff. We don't need good feelings? We don't need all those creature comforts. We don't even need food, clothing or shelter, because even though those provide us with physical comfort they can't keep us from eternal death. Only God, through His Son, can keep us from that. All we need is GOD!
          There is an older contemporary song that has as its title, "You Are My All In All". This is the ultimate truth! God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is our all in all! He is all we need. Therefore we do not fear though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea. We don't need to be afraid off anything even and especially death. We may have pain for a time but the pain will end. We may have to deal with sadness but the sadness won't last. We may go through something very uncomfortable and difficult, but in the end, as we look back at it, we will say "Eh, it wasn't that bad after all."
         Live in this truth today! Live in God's peace knowing that He is your shield and your very great reward!
Let us pray: Lord God shield me from Satan's attacks. Shield me from temptation. Shield me from unbelief. Thank you for being the only thing I will ever truly need. Amen.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
YESTERDAY"S QUIZ ANSWER:    Who was Lot? (Here's an extensive and wonderful answer from Dianne Hance) Lot was the nephew of Abram. Lot and Abram parted ways and Lot went to Sodom. Bad choice, this was a very bad city
filled with bad people.  So bad God wanted to destroy it. Abram pleaded with the Lord to spare the city but to no
avail. He did however, send two angles to get Lot and his family out before the destruction. Lot's future son-in-laws
thought he was kidding and stayed. Lot pleaded with the angles so he would not have to go to the mountains but to a
small town called Zoar. The angles said to hurry up because they could do nothing until Lot, his wife and daughters
were safe. The Lord rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot's wife looked back, and she became a
pillar of salt.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
TODAY'S QUIZ: Who was Eliezer of Damascus?
________________________________________________________________________________________________
CALENDAR:
Tues- Quilting 9-2; Bible study 2; Building committee meeting 7pm
Wed- Jonesburg Nursing Home worship 10:30; Choir 7
Thurs- Karate 5pm; Praise Band practice 6pm
Sat- Men's breakfast 8am; Worship 5pm
Sun- Worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; Worship 11; Elder's meeting noon
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
WORSHIP WORKERS:
Acolyte- 8:30- Devin Miller, 11- George Pezold
Ushers- Dave Winter, Gary Scott, Larry Schulze, Scott Schulze
Altar- Set up- Marilyn Foster and Sue Ruhl; Clean Up- Joanne Hachtel
Communion Assistants- Sat- Jim Rahn; 8:30- Rich Talbert; 11- Steve McDowell
Greeters- 8:30- Erv Yoder 11- Robines
Lay readers- Sat- Jim Rahn; 8:30- Steve McDowell; 11- Kailyn Blechle
Sat Pianist- Kathy Barrow
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
NEWS:
MEN'S BREAKFAST SATURDAY AT 8am
Menu: Pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage

Bible Study- What does the Bible say about homosexuality and how should we as Christians deal with issues concerning it?

Please let me know if you are coming and invite friends and your sons/grandsons
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
SUNDAY SCHOOL HAS RESUMED!! it is EVERY SUNDAY at 9:45
Just because the Christmas program is over doesn't mean that Sunday school is.

Parents, please be faithful in getting your kids to Sunday school! It is very important that they grow in their faith on an ongoing basis! Plus our Sunday school teachers really want to see them and teach them all about God!

________________________________________________________________________________________
ADULT BIBLE CLASS HAS RESUMED!
We began our study of the book of Acts yesterday! Now's the time to get back into Bible study! Please consider coming and being a part of it.
______________________________________________________________________________________
OFFERING ENVELOPES ARE STILL UP IN THE NARTHEX!!
Some of you still need to pick up your offering envelopes. Please get to church and do so ASAP!
___________________________________________________________________________________________
A VOLUNTEER IS STILL NEEDED TO BE A DELEGATE TO THE MISSOURI DISTRICT CONVENTION IN SPRINGFIELD, MO JUNE 14-16

___________________________________________________________________________________________
PRAYER REQUESTS:

For LISA PEZOLD AND HER FAMILY as Lisa's dad passed away yesterday.

For OUR CONTINUED FREEDOM OF RELIGION AND SPEECH in the United States, that we would continue to be able to freely speak the truth even in the face of opposition.

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

For MILLIONS OF CHRISTIANS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, who are being persecuted to the point of death for their faith.

Prayer request

Please pray for Lisa Pezold and the whole Pezold family as Lisa ' s passed away today.

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

From: Sandra Perricone

Date:01/05/2015 4:36 PM (GMT-06:00)

To: jeremy klaustermeier

Subject: Prayers

Hi Pastor...not sure if you heard from Jerry, but Lisa's dad passed this afternoon. Please say prayers for Pezold and Mitts families.

Daily Devotion: Monday, January 5, 2015

ST. JOHN'S MISSION STATEMENT
As the body of Christ, we strive to make disciples of all, focusing on the next generation, through growing...
UP in God's Word and Sacrament
OUT into the community by caring for physical and spiritual need
TOGETHER in fellowship to build lasting relationships in Christ
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
DEVOTION: The Lord had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you." Genesis 12:1

I remember back in 1996 when I first thought about going to the seminary to become a pastor. Everything was going well, I was finally settling in to a routine after three years of hard work to get to that point. I was starting to hit my stride. Then, in a conversation with a pastor we began to talk about college and what I actually had started college to become, which was to be a pastor. I changed my major half way through my sophomore year to secondary education from pre-seminary. The pastor friend of mine said, you should do that now. You should go to the seminary to become a pastor. That thought stuck with me and would not go away. I thought about it more and more and God put people in my path to encourage me in that endeavor. It was as if God was saying, "Go! Leave this place and go to a place where I will show you."
            Well, it wasn't quite like that. I had planned a long time ago and for a long time to be a pastor. I just got sidetracked for about six years. I knew where I was going, and I had friends there. Still, I was comfortable where I was and things were going great. I had made it through some very trying and uncomfortable times and now I was ready to cruise for a while. But God had other plans.
         Maybe God is telling you to do something hard right now and you are fighting it because you are comfortable and you just want to cruise for a while. Maybe there is something that you should be doing, going to a friend or family member that you have hurt to apologize and be reconciled, quitting a job that you are comfortable in to serve the Lord in some way, stopping something in your life that is harming you even though it feels good. Is there? Is there something you should be doing? Is there somewhere you should be going? Is there something in your life that needs to stop?
        It takes a lot of effort and sometimes painful and awkward situations to get going in the right direction, but if it is what God wants you to do, you better just do it or you will suffer even more for it. Just think if Abram had not left his comfortable life, his flocks, herds, and land. He would have been truly sorry wouldn't he?
         I urge you to heed the Lord's calling for your life. Don't resist the Holy Spirit! If He is moving you, calling you, or pushing you to do something just do it. If it is the Lord's will you have no other choice! AND HE WILL BLESS YOU IN IT!
      Let us pray: Lord God, help me to do the hard things in my life by Your power so that I may be built up in You, so that You may grow me into the person you have made me to be, and so that You may have an impact on others through me. Amen.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
YESTERDAY"S QUIZ ANSWER: Peter wrote two epistles.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
TODAY'S QUIZ: Who was Lot?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
CALENDAR:
Mon- Confirmation 5-6; You steak dinner/auction meeting 6pm
Tues- Quilting 9-2; Bible study 2; Building committee meeting 7pm
Wed- Jonesburg Nursing Home worship 10:30; Choir 7
Thurs- Karate 5pm; Praise Band practice 6pm
Sat- Men's breakfast 8am; Worship 5pm
Sun- Worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; Worship 11; Elder's meeting noon
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
WORSHIP WORKERS:
Acolyte- 8:30- Devin Miller, 11- George Pezold
Ushers- Dave Winter, Gary Scott, Larry Schulze, Scott Schulze
Altar- Set up- Marilyn Foster and Sue Ruhl; Clean Up- Joanne Hachtel
Communion Assistants- Sat- Jim Rahn; 8:30- Rich Talbert; 11- Steve McDowell
Greeters- 8:30- Erv Yoder 11- Robines
Lay readers- Sat- Jim Rahn; 8:30- Steve McDowell; 11- Kailyn Blechle
Sat Pianist- Kathy Barrow
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
NEWS:
MEN'S BREAKFAST SATURDAY AT 8am
Menu: Pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage

Bible Study- What does the Bible say about homosexuality and how should we as Christians deal with issues concerning it?

Please let me know if you are coming and invite friends and your sons/grandsons
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
SUNDAY SCHOOL HAS RESUMED!! it is EVERY SUNDAY at 9:45
Just because the Christmas program is over doesn't mean that Sunday school is.

Parents, please be faithful in getting your kids to Sunday school! It is very important that they grow in their faith on an ongoing basis! Plus our Sunday school teachers really want to see them and teach them all about God!

________________________________________________________________________________________
ADULT BIBLE CLASS HAS RESUMED!
We began our study of the book of Acts yesterday! Now's the time to get back into Bible study! Please consider coming and being a part of it.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
STEAK DINNER/AUCTION MEETING AFTER CONFIRMATION CLASS TONIGHT !!!
All youth in 7th-12th grade need to be sure to get all the info and to sign up for various work to make this Steak Dinner and Auction a success.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
7TH/8TH GRADE CONFIRMATION RESUMES TODAY
Please bring your copies of "The Story" with you to class tonight!!
______________________________________________________________________________________
OFFERING ENVELOPES ARE STILL UP IN THE NARTHEX!!
Some of you still need to pick up your offering envelopes. Please get to church and do so ASAP!
___________________________________________________________________________________________

A VOLUNTEER IS STILL NEEDED TO BE A DELEGATE TO THE MISSOURI DISTRICT CONVENTION IN SPRINGFIELD, MO JUNE 14-16

___________________________________________________________________________________________
PRAYER REQUESTS:
For CLAIRE JOHNSON who is recovering from a bad car accident at SSM Rehab/Nursing home in Wentzville.

For DANIELLE MEINE, a high school senior and friend to many in the congregation, who is dealing with cancer.

For TODD PONDER, former band teacher/director and friend to many at St. John's, who suffered a massive stroke and can't do anything but move his eyes. He is unable to breathe on his own. Here is a link to a fund that was started to help the family as they will have astronomical hospital and rehab bills for a long time to come. At the bottom of the page it also has updates as to his progress. http://www.gofundme.com/hp1ed8?pc=mb_em

For OUR CONTINUED FREEDOM OF RELIGION AND SPEECH in the United States, that we would continue to be able to freely speak the truth even in the face of opposition.

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

For MILLIONS OF CHRISTIANS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, who are being persecuted to the point of death for their faith.

Fwd: The Lutheran Hour: January 4, 2015

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

From: Lutheran Hour Ministries

Date:01/03/2015 9:16 PM (GMT-06:00)

To: revklaus@hotmail.com

Subject: The Lutheran Hour: January 4, 2015

Sermon Text for January 4, 2015

"Gospel Power for Personal Patience" #82-18

Presented on The Lutheran Hour on January 4, 2015
By Rev. Gregory Seltz, Lutheran Hour Speaker
Copyright 2014 Lutheran Hour Ministries

Text: Luke 2:40-52

Christ is risen, He is risen indeed! Amen.

Waiting....searching....do you know what that feels like? That's surely what those December days before Christmas felt like, right? Children will tell you that those days between Thanksgiving and Christmas are an eternity. Grownups, too, were part of that anxious anticipation. Together, you counted down the days. The anticipation was built. Presents gathered under the tree. You decorated, celebrated, and orchestrated gatherings and feasts. And now, for many, it's done. It's over, right?

How about the New Year's Eve wait? Maybe this year was a year of waiting. And now the midnight of last year has come and gone. The ball in New York City is in storage for next year. 2015 is in full swing. Tomorrow you may be back to work, back to school, or back to the routine. The waiting is over. Or is it?

I suspect that you, even now, may still be doing your share of waiting. The cultural, holiday hype might be over, but you might be waiting still in your heart today. Are you still waiting for money issues to clear up--especially after that holiday hit? Are you still waiting for a relationship to improve--perhaps with a new resolve this year? Are you waiting for new, hopefully good news about your health; about a job? As the waiting continues, do you find yourself eager, frustrated, anxious, fearful, and downhearted all at the same time?

That's how Peggy Harris felt for sixty-eight years. You see, Peggy married the love of her life, Billie Harris, just six weeks before he was deployed overseas in World War II. Billie was a fighter pilot. On July 17, 1944, he took to the skies for a mission over Nazi-occupied northern France. He never returned.

That summer of 1944, Peggy received word that Billie was missing in action. Then she received news that he was alive and on his way home. Then she was told that he was killed in action and his remains were at a cemetery in Europe. Then the cemetery location was changed. Then she heard that the grave might not be his at all. So Peggy waited. She waited for months; and then for years. She wrote her congressman to try to find out whatever happened to Billie. She waited and waited and wrote and wrote again and again--for over 60 years!

A few years ago, Billie's cousin decided to see what he could do for Peggy. He made a request for his military records and he found the answer. Billie was lost in action on that fateful day in 1944. He was buried at one of the most famous military cemeteries ever: in Normandy, France, with a white marble cross marking his grave. Finally, he was found!

And Peggy waited the whole time. She never remarried. She loved Billie. These days she sends flowers ten times every year to adorn his grave. Cemetery officials say that she is the last widow who still visits her loved one there. And Peggy is glad to do it. After sixty-eight years of wondering and waiting, she finally received her answer.

I wonder if you feel a bit like Peggy Harris. Maybe you haven't been waiting for sixty-eight years, but your wait feels long and it feels difficult. It's not merely causing you anxiety; it's literally taking the life out of you. You wonder if you can make it any further.

I want to tell you today, dear friend, that you do not wait alone and that God is in the business of fulfilling His promises to all who wait on Him. The whole Bible recounts the actions of God for us. Even the main teaching is about God coming at the right time for the world so that all might be saved. You know the verse. It says, "God so loved the world that He sent His only Son" to live, to die, to rise again for you! He is the One who promises that He will never leave you nor forsake you.

For you, today, as you wait in worry or fear or eager impatience, God comes through even in the midst of your anxious wait. His living Word is here to encourage you. His everlasting love is yours to lift you up. The Bible reminds us in Psalm 27 that even in the middle of struggles and pain, "Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!" (Psalms 27:14 ESV)

You can patiently trust God today even amidst the waiting because your Savior, your Lord stands with you to be your strength, even now.

But it's so difficult, isn't it? Being patient is not our natural persuasion. We're not willing waiters. We want to get on with it. We want life to move forward right now. We want instant results. We're a microwave world and a hurried, harassed culture. Our desire is to get to the next step right now. The faster it can happen, the better it is, we think. And much of the world meets our need for speed.

Now, with certain things, fast can be innovative; it can be good. But our impatience can also lead to a life of pain. Especially when life slows down on its own terms, or when life spins out of our control. Then our speedy expectations can lead to unbearable heartache and grief.

There are times, despite our modern inventions, despite our advances technologically, when life slows down, times when answers come too slowly, times when we are left to wait, and wait, and wait.

And if you're honest with me today, when you are waiting anxiously, it's often because you are disappointed with God's response. Maybe you don't think He is concerned about you at all. So, like we all tend to do, we take matters into our own hands, we make our own plans--doing things our way for immediate answers and satisfaction. Often, that temporary solution gives way to even more waiting, more disappointment, and more anxiety.

Waiting anxiously becomes a sin when we give in to that temptation that we somehow care about our life more than God does. It's exactly the opposite. God loves you with an eternal love. Whatever is happening in your life today it can't separate us from His love, His grace, His power.

That's what our text for today is teaching. Jesus shows us how to wait with hope; how to deal with the things in this life in full view of the Father's promises and love. The most important thing throughout one's life...is to be connected by faith to God, in His House, in His presence, in His Word with a family of believers! If you need patience, if you need help for the waiting that you're enduring, the Son of God, in the coming weeks, will take you on a journey that provides encouragement, refreshment for your soul, and staying power as you wait.

You see, Jesus understands what it means to wait. Let me ask you this question. What did Jesus do most in His time on earth? Miracles? Teaching? Preaching? No. He waited most of all. In Luke, chapter two, we hear the twelve-year-old Jesus was eager to start His ministry--so eager that He even appears to forget about His own family for a time! Verses 41-46 tell us: And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it....they began to search for him.....After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions" (Luke 2:41-46).

Jesus caused quite a bit of distress for his mom and dad. But as the Son of God on a mission to seek and save the lost, He couldn't hold back. He felt the urgency of His important purpose. And even at twelve years old, His listeners were amazed at His comments and His answers.

You can't blame Mary and Joseph for being in distress. You can hear it in Mary's voice. It says: His mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress" (Luke 2:48-49).

But Jesus replied with eagerness: "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" (Luke 2:49)

Jesus' parents didn't understand what He was telling them at the moment. He was aware, He was ready, but even Jesus knew that, instead of starting His ministry right then and there, He needed to wait. So Luke tells us: And he went down with them, came to Nazareth and was submissive to his parents. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and with man (Luke 2:51-52).

So Jesus waited. He waited for twelve years before He had a chance to go to the temple. He got a taste of His ministry during those few days in Jerusalem, but then he had to wait again. It would be another eighteen years before Jesus started His ministry at age 30.

If you've been waiting for a long time, you're not alone. For most of His life, Jesus waited. Yes, He was eager. Yes, He had a deep and abiding desire to do the Father's work of redeeming and restoring the world. Yes, He was passionate about His mission that would involve the sacrifice of His life for the sake of all. But even He, as the God-Man who came in your place for your salvation; even He had to wait for the proper time.

Please be encouraged by this. Please hear that Jesus understands your restlessness, your fear, your feelings of helplessness, and your downheartedness. He gets it. He knows what it's like to wait. But He also provides a path through waiting just for you. I call it Christ's secret path to patience, in plain sight for all to see.

Our solution to waiting seems always to be, "Oh, Lord, give me the answer right now." Even with patience, we tend to pray: "Lord, give me patience, and give that to me now too!" Jesus' focus was different. His concern was about the things of God always and being prepared for the answers that were to come, no matter the wait.

For Him, the key in all things was to always be fed and nourished by God's Word. His visit to the temple in Jerusalem reflected Jesus' ongoing immersion in the Word of God. Do you remember how He quoted God's Word when He was tempted by the devil at the beginning of His ministry? Jesus heard and He learned the Scriptures. These became His firm foundation and an important tool to face adversity--including the challenge of waiting.

If you want to wait effectively, you need a steady diet of God's Word. Remember, the Bible is not just another book; it's living, it's active, it's precious wisdom, reliable promises from God Himself. God's Word refreshes your soul and it brings you new life. It is essential to making the long journey of life as a person who waits. When you feel panicky or forgotten, God's Word steadies you and gives you a bigger picture for that perspective. It reminds you of God's faithfulness and fills you with a supernatural peace. It's a key to waiting out anything effectively.

Read the Gospel of John, read the Psalms, or request devotional material from us here at Lutheran Hour Ministries because the Word of God is the fuel you need while you wait.

Second, when it comes to patience, Jesus sought the company of others. When He was twelve years old, He went to the Temple. His presence in His Father's house meant being in the company of fellow believers for learning, for encouragement. God's house, His Church, is a place of believers gathered around His Word, sharing, learning, serving in the power that only He can provide. You weren't ever meant to be alone!

I know for many of you out there this program is such a blessing to you and I am honored to be with you every week. I pray that you keep listening, keep sharing this with others, but if you are able, you need to also be connected to fellow believers, to God's Holy ministry in His Church. His gifts were meant to be received and shared!

And, finally, third, Jesus devoted Himself to prayer as He waited. We hear about Jesus' practice of prayer in Mark, chapter one: Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed (Mark 1:35 NIV).

If you're in the position of waiting, prayer is essential. Prayer is when you bring your burdens and struggles to God. You cast your cares on Him. If you don't, you'll end up carrying them around with you. And while God may not give you what you want immediately, He is there with you always, sustaining you as you walk the road of your challenge.

The Word of God, the company of other believers, and the gift of prayer: all these blessings center on one thing: being in relationship with your Savior Jesus, to receive and to share His gifts. Patience is a "God's Word, God's House" gift! You grow in patience by God Himself growing it in you and through you. It is the fruit of the Holy Spirit as He lives in you and works in you through His Word. Jesus, who suffered all on the cross, who suffered the eternal anxiety of being separated from the Father because of our sin, His life, His death, and resurrection, they are proof that in faith, waiting on God, waiting with God, and waiting for God; it's always worth the wait!

Isaiah, chapter 40, brings some of the most compelling encouragement, then, for our patience. To the burdened and struggling listener who was waiting for God's restoration, the prophet proclaimed: Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is an everlasting God.... He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, young men shall fall exhausted; but those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not be faint (Isaiah 40:28-31).

That's the Gospel power for patience in this life laid out for all to see! It's the promise that God will be faithful to you through it all. His promises will always be fulfilled for you; maybe not in this day or that, but ultimately in the joy and promise of an eternal life with Him.

God's promises are the power to live boldly in His grace right now and because you know that no matter what is happening in your life at this moment, you are secure in God's hands because of Jesus' work for you on the cross.

That's how our church in New York waited. As we prayed for a place to worship back in the '90s; with no money, no building to gather, with only prayerful hope and the anticipation of God's blessing for us and our neighborhood, seemingly out of the blue, a church building worth 2.5 million dollars was donated to our mission; incredible, miraculous, something that was pure gift. I always remember thinking amidst all of our waiting; if God wants something done, there will be the resources, the people, the time to do the work. If not, there will be something else wonderful to do.

In fact, that's how a precious relative of mine, now in heaven, that's also how she waited; as she prayed for her husband, year after year after year, prayed for him to come to faith. Jesus walked with her, and He waited with her, and He heard her prayers. After decades of waiting, her husband received the gift of life and salvation through Jesus Christ.

I know it's weary to wait. I know that circumstances can seem overwhelming. So, this year, do you find yourself searching and waiting? Then take Jesus' example to heart. Let the things of God be central to your life, let the Good News of Jesus Christ, the power of His Gospel, fill you with the patience that comes in knowing that God cares for you always, He is with you, and through it all, waiting on Him, with Him, and through Him, is a wait that is worth it for you and for those you love. Here's to a Blessed New Year always to you in Him.

Amen.

LUTHERAN HOUR MAILBOX (Questions & Answers) for January 4, 2015
Topic: How Can I Start a Devotional Life?

ANNOUNCER: Now, Pastor Gregory Seltz responds to questions from listeners. I'm Mark Eischer. Pastor, with the New Year just starting; how might one begin or develop a stronger devotional life?

SELTZ: Mark, how refreshing to hear someone who is thinking about their relationship with God for the New Year.

ANNOUNCER: Much of the focus is often on improving one's diet and exercise or stopping bad habits; it's good to remember the importance of our spiritual lives.

SELTZ: Think about it. Our faith-life is foundational to every other aspect of our lives. Good stewardship of the body or financial resources, it flows from a healthy walk with God too. Overcoming harmful habits can only be accomplished with the strength and resources that are provided by the Spirit of God.

ANNOUNCER: So how can our listener begin or develop a stronger spiritual life?

SELTZ: Let's start by defining what a devotional life is. The definition is in the word. It's time we devote to God. Some key components of that devotional life are the study of God's Word, reflection on it, conversation about it, and time devoted to prayer.

ANNOUNCER: Does a devotional life have to be a singular, individual pursuit?

SELTZ: No, in fact that would be a misunderstanding of a devotionally full life with Christ. Yes, there are personal times with the Lord in study and prayer, but more so, there are times to learn and grow with your spouse, your family, your church. The bottom line is that we get to have flexibility and creativity in putting these blessings to work in our lives.

ANNOUNCER: With that understood, where do you start?

SELTZ: The best place to start is with God's Word. It is so important to have His voice speaking into our lives.

ANNOUNCER: Because there are so many other voices that bombard us day after day.

SELTZ: Most definitely. Bad news comes at us on every front twenty-four hours a day. Influences that pull us away from Jesus, they're active and they can be overwhelming. It is essential to let God have His say with His living Word, that Word that cleanses our souls and renews our spirit. That's why the Bible is such a precious gift; the foundation for cultivating a devotional life.

ANNOUNCER: Where should I start reading the Bible? Do I just open it up to the book of Genesis, verse one, and start from there?

SELTZ: It's great to read the Bible cover to cover, Mark, but I would recommend a different approach. Remember, your goal is not to plow through the whole Bible. Your goal is to hear clearly God's voice in and through His Word, to let Him renew and shape your life. So, I recommend starting with one of the Gospels so a person can get to know Jesus as the Savior. I also recommend reading the smaller epistles of Paul in the New Testament for that big picture perspective.

ANNOUNCER: So, it's not about "getting through it," slow is okay. We're not cramming for exams. This is about nourishing one's soul.

SELTZ: Exactly. If something really grips you, take time in that book. Read it closely, pray. Take your time and listen to what God is saying. Then think about how that applies to your life too.

ANNOUNCER: Here also a good study Bible would help because it has links to other related verses and it would also have notes that could help you understand what God is saying in a particular passage. Would you say this is something best done in quiet, solitude, and isolation?

SELTZ: Yeah, for sure. Quiet focus is important, but finding silence is not really easy. If a person can find a quiet time or a place for devotions, it's wonderful. But these days, it might be in one's car to find the best place for pondering God's Word.

ANNOUNCER: To be clear, you're not saying we should read the Bible while driving!

SELTZ: Not at all. But after reading a verse or a chapter, the car might be a place to think about it and to begin to pray about it. The same is true for your workout time or even while you're doing the laundry.

ANNOUNCER: Prayer is another key component of a devotional life.

SELTZ: That's right. Pray while reading the Bible, pray for understanding; then afterwards, take time to pray about applying God's Word to your life. Bring your prayers of thanksgiving, confession, and supplication to Him. Ask God about what you need. Talk to Him about your life. Celebrate what God has done for you, for all people.

ANNOUNCER: Besides the Bible, what about other devotional materials?

SELTZ: First of all, about the Bible, I highly recommend it! But, there are some other excellent resources out there. In fact, Lutheran Hour Ministries has some wonderful materials available. People can contact us if they'd like to receive some of those.

ANNOUNCER: And you can reach us here at 855-John3-16 or online at www.lhm.org.

SELTZ: Yeah, but the key is get started today!

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.

"As with Gladness Men of Old" From The Concordia Organist (© 2009 Concordia Publishing House)

"Songs of Thankfulness and Praise" From The Concordia Organist (© 2009 Concordia Publishing House)

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St. Louis, MO 63141
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Watch "Christmas Eve" on YouTube

Sorry so late but I just got this downloaded. The choir is on this and they are amazing! Enjoy and share!

Christmas Eve: http://youtu.be/Nz9ItO7hyoQ

Mizzou vs. Minnesota watch party is canceled

Mizzou vs. Minnesota watch party is canceled for tomorrow. I can't seem to get the Watch ESPN app to work without buffering every five seconds, plus I'm not even positive that it will be on the Watch ESPN app tomorrow. Sorry folks. I would like to go somewhere and watch it with anyone who is interested though. Call me or message me if you'd like to go to Buffalo Wild Wings or somewhere like that.

Help needed taking down Christmas decorations

We need folks to help take down the Christmas decorations on Sunday after church. Lunch will be provided again for all those who help!

2 Things for church this weekend

1. All who are board members or officers for 2015 should be at worship this weekend to be installed and blessed by the Lord for this coming year's work. Please be at one of the services. it doesn't matter which one.

2. Our new Bible study to start 2015 is on the book of Acts. We will be learning about the beginnings of the Christian church, its successes as well as its troubles and even failures. It will be a good history lesson as well as a good way to learn about how to be a better Christian.

A blessed New Year to y'all!
Pastor

Denise Schlesselmann's December newsletter

Hello,

I hope you all enjoyed a great Christmas. As you can see I am just barely getting this sent in December. I had most of it written earlier as you'll see by the articles and the date of the newsletter. But I didn't get around to putting the final touches that until after Christmas. Since we're still in the 12 days of Christmas I think it's alright. If you want to hear about Czech Christmas Eve traditions you'll have to wait till next time. Enjoy your new year.

Denise

December 14 Newsletter.pdf

St. John's Lutheran Church
Warrenton, MO

Fwd: The Lutheran Hour: January 11, 2015

Sermon Text for January 11, 2015

"Are You Qualified?" #82-19

Steak Dinner Tickets Go On Sale This Weekend!

prayer request : William Fischer

Prayer request

Music Trivia Night Fundraiser for @Warrenton Bands

Daily Devotion: Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Daily Devotion: Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Prayer request

Daily Devotion: Monday, January 5, 2015

Fwd: The Lutheran Hour: January 4, 2015

Sermon Text for January 4, 2015

"Gospel Power for Personal Patience" #82-18

Watch "Christmas Eve" on YouTube

Mizzou vs. Minnesota watch party is canceled

Help needed taking down Christmas decorations

2 Things for church this weekend

Denise Schlesselmann's December newsletter

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