Daily Email: Wednesday, September 30, 2015

DEVOTION: Hebrews 2 

We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away. 2 For since the message spoken through angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment,3 how shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him.4 God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

Jesus Made Fully Human

5 It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. 6 But there is a place where someone has testified:

"What is mankind that you are mindful of them,
    a son of man that you care for him?
7 You made them a little lower than the angels;
    you crowned them with glory and honor
8     and put everything under their feet."

In putting everything under them, God left nothing that is not subject to them. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to them. 9 But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

10 In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered. 11 Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters. 12 He says,

"I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters;
    in the assembly I will sing your praises."

13 And again,

"I will put my trust in him."

And again he says,

"Here am I, and the children God has given me."

14 Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil— 15 and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. 16 For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham's descendants. 17 For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. 18 Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

If there is one scourge on the church and on Christianity in America these days, it is indifference or apathy.  A lot of Christians just don't care.  They don't care if they show up to church for worship once a week or once a year.  They don't care if the church's ministries flourish or not.  They don't care if there are 10 people in worship or 200.  Some don't even care if the church is there or not.  It is a nice thing to have around, but it isn't necessary.  

I read somewhere recently that one of the biggest issues for pastors is whether they are relevant at all and most wonder whether they are making any difference or not.  I must confess that I often wonder that myself.  This is also one of the biggest reasons thousands of pastors leave the ministry every year and thousands of others suffer burnout.  It is quite disheartening for many pastors to work to preach, teach, and administer the sacraments and to see the church in decline as it is.  We try as hard as we can to make it relevant and to use new and exciting ways to present God's Word to people, but it often seems to fall on deaf ears and blind eyes. 

This is not the case in places like Africa and China.  There the church is flourishing and growing at record rates.  Why?  Because they know what it is to live without the church due to the oppression and tyranny of godless governments.  They know what it means to have to hide their faith and their churches for fear of punishment.  They know what it means to not have churches to go to for a very long time. And it's not good.  

They don't take their faith for granted.  They love the church.  They rejoice that they have a place to worship and a large group of people to worship with.  it is a great blessing to them to be able to worship freely and fully

 

I know I'm probably preaching to the choir here.  You aren't one of those apathetic Christians, are you?  It matters to you, doesn't it? If you are, being faithful by the power of the Holy Spirit,  WONDERFUL!  Keep it up!  Keep living in God's grace!  Keep growing in the faith!  I'm proud of you!  

Maybe you are an apathetic Christian.  Maybe you are completely disinterested in what goes on at St. John's.  If you are, then I pray that this passage from Hebrews and this devotion has convicted you of your apathy and disinterest.  I hope that it has caused you to rethink your faith life so that you don't stray too far away from Christ that you get lost and can't find your way back.  

If you are a lukewarm, apathetic, and indifferent Christian REPENT! Jesus wants a better relationship with you than just a casual thought now and then.  He wants you to have a full and satisfying relationship with him, one that is firing on all cylinders, one that is full of joy, one that is proclaiming his love to the lost, one that is free of guilt and shame!  Turn from your "sometime" Christianity, or your "when I have time" Christianity, and make it your life!  

It is very interesting in this passage that the writer of Hebrews doesn't dwell on the trouble already happening way back then, but instead speaks about the Gospel!  He preaches Christ and Him crucified.  And so, whether the tide is in or out, whether church is full or almost empty, whether people are on fire or barely smoldering, we keep preaching Christ!  We keep proclaiming his grace!  We keep Jesus as our way, truth, and life!

Prayer:  Lord, help me to treat my faith as my whole life and not just a part of it.  Amen. 

__________________________________________________________________________________________
YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:   What is a maskil?  A literary or musical device meant to teach a lesson

________________________________________________________________________________

TODAY'S QUIZ:  How many Psalms are there?

________________________________________________________________________________________

CALENDAR:

Wed- Choir 7pm

Thurs- Alzheimer's Support group 1pm; Karate 5-7:45

Sat-  Worship 5
Sun- SCRIP ORDERS DUE; Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
WORSHIP WORKERS:  
Acolyte-  8:30- Jacob Cluver; 11- Alaina Heitgerd
Ushers-  Don Hance, Rich Boeger, Don Tate, Doug Walters
Altar- Set up- Ruth Walters; Clean up- Terry McKenzie
Communion Assistants- Sat- Randy Sweet; 8:30- Rich Talbert; 11- Charlie Figura
Greeters- 8:30- Doug and Ruth Walters; 11- Steve and Sandy Robine
Lay readers- Sat- Judy Koprowski 8:30- Betty Schirr 11- Kailyn Blechle
Sat. Pianist- Tim Sherman
Organist-  Rachel Fisher
Projectionists: Sat. Pam Bueltmann, 8:30- Dawn Sherman, 11- Hannah Johnson
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
NEWS!!!!  PLEASE READ IT ALL!!!!

HOSPICE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!!

Help needed includes the following:

caregiver relief

companionship

writing letters

reading to patients

clerical/office work

assisting with errands and/or meal preparation

Mercy Hospice at 636-239-8862 or stephaniemarquart@mercy.net

SSM Health at Home at 573-582-8850  or chris_cobb@ssmhc.com

Training is available with Mercy the first four Thursdays in October.  

______________________________________________________________________________________

LUTHERAN HOUR MINISTRIES PRAYER BREAKFAST OCTOBER 14 AT ORLANDO EVENTS AND CONFERENCE CENTER IN MARYLAND HEIGHTS.  

Rev. Greg Seltz, Lutheran Hour Speaker, will speak on prayer.  Everyone attending will receive a free signed copy of "The Lord's Prayer a book by Seltz.  Go to lutheranprayerbreakfast.eventbrite.com for tickets and info. 

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

QUILT TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE!!  

The drawing was not held at eh carnival to give people more time to purchase more tickets.  You may purchase tickets from any quilter or from the church office throughout the week.  Tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5.  

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

LADIES AID IS SELLING CHRISTMAS CARDS FOR $5 a BOX!!  

Once they're gone, that's it.  There won't be another order when they run out!  Get them today!  They're in the basement and you can give money to whoever is in the office. 

___________________________________________________________________________________________

SCRIP ORDERS DUE THIS SUNDAY!!!!! 

A NEW AND EASY FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITY!!! 

 

The order forms are on the table in the narthex!  Just about every store that you can think of is on the list!  Use the cards just like you would use a debit/credit card and help St. John's make  A LOT of money!

Place your order, along with your check, made payable to St. Johns, in the "Bob the Builder" box. 

  
 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

OPERATION BACKPACK FOR OCTOBER IS CANNED VEGETABLES!! !

Many children in our community are very poor.  They are able to get some of their meals at school during the week, but often go hungry on weekends.  Operation backpack is a way that our community has decided to help these kids. 
 
Every month throughout the school year, each church participating will take one food item and collect just that food item.  At the end of the month the food will be delivered to school.  The school officials along with volunteers will distribute the food to kids backpacks to take home.   

Throughout the month of October we will be collecting canned veggies. All size cans and even individual portions will be accepted.  The fruit will be delivered to the schools November 1.   We will have a box in the narthex for deposits.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 
UNMARKED BLUE ENVELOPE CONTRIBUTIONS ARE GOING TO THE BUILDING EXPANSION PROGRAM
If you'd like it to go to the DCE fund you need to mark it for that!  Please make sure you mark the ENVELOPE clearly for the DCE PROGRAM!
________________________________________________________________________________________
DO YOU HAVE A KROGER CARD?  ENROLL IT IN THE COMMUNITY REWARDS PROGRAM!!!
Register it online www.krogercommunityrewards.com and have it swiped each time you shop to earn money for Little Lambs. 
 
__________________________________________________________________________________________

GENERAL PRAYERS:

For DON PANHORST who found out that he has cancer last week and is starting chemo this (MONDAY) morning. 

 

For JAMIE, a FRIEND OF CHRISTY WINN, whose daughter, KAYLA, died suddenly last night.

 

For BROOKS EBERT, infant son of Derek and Andrea, who finally, after a month, was able to eat his first bottle on his own on Thursday.   He may get to go home soon.

 

For PHYLLIS HOELSCHER who is recovering from knee replacement surgery at home.

 

For DENISE SCHLESSELMANN as she is back in the Czech Republic to continue her mission work.

 

For DAVE AND CAROL KOHRS, who are BOTH on hospice care.

 

For WILMA WEIGLE as she continues to deal with the after effects of a severe stroke almost two years ago.  

Daily Email: Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Note: The readings I am using for the daily devotions are for the 19th Sunday after Pentecost.  The readings we will use in worship this Sunday will be for LWML Sunday.

DEVOTION:  Genesis 2:18-25 (ESV)

¹⁸ Then the Lord God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him." ¹⁹ Now out of the ground the Lord God had formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. ²⁰ The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him. ²¹ So the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. ²² And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. ²³ Then the man said,

"This at last is bone of my bones
    and flesh of my flesh;
she shall be called Woman,
    because she was taken out of Man."

²⁴ Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. ²⁵ And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.

Why did God give you your spouse?  Why did God give us marriage at all?  Wouldn't life be easier if there were no such things as spouses, marriage, and commitment? 

First of all God said that it was not "good" for man to be alone.  He didn't say that about anything else.  He knew that his creation was incomplete without a companion.  He knew that humans wouldn't know his love completely unless they had someone to love. 

He also knew that humans would sin against each other just like Adam and Eve sinned against him so he gave them to each other so that they could know both sides of forgiveness.  He knew that, if they only received forgiveness, they would not fully grasp what it is like to give forgiveness.  

Thirdly, he knew that they wouldn't fully understand the commitment  he had to them unless they committed to each other.   He is committed to us through eternity an he wanted us to know what that means. 

Lastly, he wanted them to know what it feels like to give love to  someone else.  If we only receive love, we don't fully grasp the intensity and completeness of both sides of it.  It is the same reason he allows parents to have children instead of just creating each person directly out of the ground out of seeds or something.  

He has given you relationships so that you can both receive and give his love in a real earthly, physical, and emotional way.  What a great giver God is!  What a great gift our relationships are.  Live in your relationships the way God intended them to be.  Love, give, and forgive so that you and your spouse, child, brother, sister, mom, dad, grandpa, grandma, coworkers, and friends may all know the love of Christ more fully today.  

Prayer:  Lord God, thank you for our relationships!  Help us to treat them as you intended.  Amen. 

__________________________________________________________________________________________
YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:   In what year of the reign of King Darius did Zechariah prophesy?  The fourth

_______________________________________________________________________________________

TODAY'S QUIZ: What is a maskil?

________________________________________________________________________________

CALENDAR:

Tues- Quilting 9-2; Bible Study 11:30-12:15

Wed- Choir 7pm

Thurs- Alzheimer's Support group 1pm; Karate 5-7:45

Sat-  Worship 5
Sun- SCRIP ORDERS DUE; Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
WORSHIP WORKERS:  
Acolyte-  8:30- Jacob Cluver; 11- Alaina Heitgerd
Ushers-  Don Hance, Rich Boeger, Don Tate, Doug Walters
Altar- Set up- Ruth Walters; Clean up- Terry McKenzie
Communion Assistants- Sat- Randy Sweet; 8:30- Rich Talbert; 11- Charlie Figura
Greeters- 8:30- Doug and Ruth Walters; 11- Steve and Sandy Robine
Lay readers- Sat- Judy Koprowski 8:30- Betty Schirr 11- Kailyn Blechle
Sat. Pianist- Tim Sherman
Organist-  Rachel Fisher
Projectionists: Sat. Pam Bueltmann, 8:30- Dawn Sherman, 11- Hannah Johnson
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
NEWS!!!!  PLEASE READ IT ALL!!!!

HOSPICE VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!!

Help needed includes the following:

caregiver relief

companionship

writing letters

reading to patients

clerical/office work

assisting with errands and/or meal preparation

Mercy Hospice at 636-239-8862 or stephaniemarquart@mercy.net

SSM Health at Home at 573-582-8850  or chris_cobb@ssmhc.com

Training is available with Mercy the first four Thursdays in October.  

______________________________________________________________________________________

LUTHERAN HOUR MINISTRIES PRAYER BREAKFAST OCTOBER 14 AT ORLANDO EVENTS AND CONFERENCE CENTER IN MARYLAND HEIGHTS.  

Rev. Greg Seltz, Lutheran Hour Speaker, will speak on prayer.  Everyone attending will receive a free signed copy of "The Lord's Prayer a book by Seltz.  Go to lutheranprayerbreakfast.eventbrite.com for tickets and info. 

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

QUILT TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE!!  

The drawing was not held at eh carnival to give people more time to purchase more tickets.  You may purchase tickets from any quilter or from the church office throughout the week.  Tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5.  

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

LADIES AID IS SELLING CHRISTMAS CARDS FOR $5 a BOX!!  

Once they're gone, that's it.  There won't be another order when they run out!  Get them today!  They're in the basement and you can give money to whoever is in the office. 

___________________________________________________________________________________________

SCRIP ORDERS DUE THIS SUNDAY!!!!! 

A NEW AND EASY FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITY!!! 

 

The order forms are on the table in the narthex!  Just about every store that you can think of is on the list!  Use the cards just like you would use a debit/credit card and help St. John's make  A LOT of money!

Place your order, along with your check, made payable to St. Johns, in the "Bob the Builder" box. 

  
 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

OPERATION BACKPACK FOR OCTOBER IS CANNED VEGETABLES!! !

Many children in our community are very poor.  They are able to get some of their meals at school during the week, but often go hungry on weekends.  Operation backpack is a way that our community has decided to help these kids. 
 
Every month throughout the school year, each church participating will take one food item and collect just that food item.  At the end of the month the food will be delivered to school.  The school officials along with volunteers will distribute the food to kids backpacks to take home.   

Throughout the month of October we will be collecting canned veggies. All size cans and even individual portions will be accepted.  The fruit will be delivered to the schools November 1.   We will have a box in the narthex for deposits.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 
UNMARKED BLUE ENVELOPE CONTRIBUTIONS ARE GOING TO THE BUILDING EXPANSION PROGRAM
If you'd like it to go to the DCE fund you need to mark it for that!  Please make sure you mark the ENVELOPE clearly for the DCE PROGRAM!
________________________________________________________________________________________
DO YOU HAVE A KROGER CARD?  ENROLL IT IN THE COMMUNITY REWARDS PROGRAM!!!
Register it online www.krogercommunityrewards.com and have it swiped each time you shop to earn money for Little Lambs. 
 
__________________________________________________________________________________________

GENERAL PRAYERS:

For DON PANHORST who found out that he has cancer last week and is starting chemo this (MONDAY) morning. 

 

For JAMIE, a FRIEND OF CHRISTY WINN, whose daughter, KAYLA, died suddenly last night.

 

For BROOKS EBERT, infant son of Derek and Andrea, who finally, after a month, was able to eat his first bottle on his own on Thursday.   He may get to go home soon.

 

For PHYLLIS HOELSCHER who is recovering from knee replacement surgery at home.

 

For DENISE SCHLESSELMANN as she is back in the Czech Republic to continue her mission work.

 

For DAVE AND CAROL KOHRS, who are BOTH on hospice care.

 

For WILMA WEIGLE as she continues to deal with the after effects of a severe stroke almost two years ago.  

Great devotion from LHM Daily Devotion - September 29, 2015 "Blessed Deliverance"

Sent via the Samsung GALAXY S®4 Active™, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone

-------- Original message --------
From: Lutheran Hour Ministries <lh_min@lhm.org>
Date: 09/28/2015 5:52 PM (GMT-06:00)
To: Jeremy Klaustermeier <revklaus@hotmail.com>
Subject: LHM Daily Devotion - September 29, 2015 "Blessed Deliverance"

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries By Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour   Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin!  Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).    "Blessed Deliverance"  September 29, 2015   (The Lord said) "And call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me." Psalm 50:15 Most of the time pastors are trying to get people into their church. Recently, Pastor John D. Johnson III of Corinth Missionary Baptist Church showed himself to be the exception to that rule. Pastor Johnson was occupied in a conference room, and other members of his congregation were in other locations. While Pastor Johnson was working, Rasheed Abdul Aziz came in and announced he was a "man of Islam." Mr. Aziz also shared that demons were chasing him, and his god had authorized him to kill Christians and Jews. Now you may not know, but most of The Lutheran Hour speakers have received death threats over the years. After a while, we generally come to believe that most of these threats are "all blow and no show." If Pastor Johnson had any thought of dismissing Mr. Aziz, he put that notion aside when he spotted the gun in Aziz's pocket. Using training received at another job, Pastor Johnson calmed Mr. Aziz and then made an excuse to leave the room for a moment. That moment he used to warn the others. He said, "We got a problem. Get everybody out." The people, including Pastor Johnson, made a quick and calm retreat. Later on, Mr. Aziz was found by the police with the gun still in his pocket. They arrested him and charged him with being a felon in possession of a firearm. As I read that story, it occurred to me that if Mr. Aziz had fired upon Pastor Johnson and the members of his church, it would have been picked up by every news service. Indeed, it would have been splashed all over the evening news and the front page of every newspaper. But when a Christian pastor does and says the right thing and people are all delivered by God's hand, not much is said. How sad. It is right and proper for God's people to praise Him for His ongoing preservation and for having delivered us of evil. The psalmist is quite correct when he tells us the Lord's people are to call upon Him during evil times. And the psalmist is also correct when he adds after God has delivered you, then remember and glorify Him. Sadly, but not so strangely, we're good at calling on the Lord for help, but we're pretty sad when it comes to thanking Him for services rendered. Yes, we should glorify the Lord for all of our earthly deliverances and, most of all, for our spiritual rescue. Through the work of Jesus Christ, because of His life, suffering, death and resurrection, people of faith acknowledge He has saved them from sin's consequences and the Law's charges. That Jesus has done what we could not is a joy, which needs to be acknowledged. THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, I have no doubt that this day You have saved me many times without my knowledge. I thank You for that. Keep me always aware of the rescue, which has been done for me by Your Son. In His Name I pray it. Amen. In Christ I remain His servant and yours, Pastor Ken Klaus Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour® Lutheran Hour Ministries Print this devotion Subscribe to this podcast! Through the Bible in a Year Today Read: Isaiah 45-46; Romans 8:22-39 The Lutheran Hour Sign up for LHM news Pastor Klaus bio Change my email address    subscribe / unsubscribe / sign-up for plain text / visit our website   660 Mason Ridge Center Dr. St. Louis, MO 63141 1-800-876-9880 www.lhm.org

Family Night is regular Potluck tonight

 There is no special theme or food for tonight, so just bring your favorite dish!

 

 

See you at 6!!

Daily Email: Monday, September 28, 2015

DEVOTION: Psalm 128 

Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord,
    who walks in his ways!
² You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands;
    you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.

³ Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
    within your house;
your children will be like olive shoots
    around your table.
⁴ Behold, thus shall the man be blessed
    who fears the Lord.

⁵ The Lord bless you from Zion!
    May you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
    all the days of your life!
⁶ May you see your children's children!
    Peace be upon Israel

 

I have always had a healthy fear of my dad, still do even today.  I never wanted to make him mad.  I knew that making him mad would incur his wrath upon me.  That wrath made way its out in yelling, in an ear pulling, time in the corner, and even a spanking. 

 

What was even worse and would still be worse today is disappointing him.  I never want to disappoint him, because I value his honor of me and I want him to be proud of me.  I don't want to do something that would remove that honor and pride that he ahs for me. 

 

I know he will keep loving me no matter what.  I know he will always have my back.  So I'm not afraid of losing his love.  He always has and always will forgive me.  I know this without a doubt!

 

This is what makes me  want to do things and live a life that will make him proud.

 

That is the same "fear" that we should have for Almighty God.  When we do, then the things above are bound to happen.  THIS IS ESPECIALLY TRUE When we as fathers are good examples to our wives and children. 

 

THE CHURCH NEEDS AND HAS ALWAYS NEEDED MEN: fathers, husbands, workers, leaders,  who FEAR THE LORD!! 

 

We know that our heavenly Father will never stop loving us.  He will love us no matter what.  And when he sees us, he doesn't see our failures or are shortcomings.  He sees Jesus.  THANKS BE TO GOD! 

 

This fact is what makes us want to honor, serve, and obey our heavenly Father!  Do that Today!   Praise and thank the Lord for those who fear the Lord in your life, and follow their example! 

 

Prayer:  Lord, help me to have a holy fear of you so that I may be blessed as you have promised.  Amen.

 
__________________________________________________________________________________________
YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:  What was Daniel's last vision about?

 

Daniel 12   There will be a time of great distress, like no other.  Everyone whose name is found in the book will 

be delivered.  Many who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life and some to shame and 

everlasting contempt.   Then Daniel saw two men one on this bank and one on the other.  One of them said

to the man wearing linen, who was above the waters of the river, "How long will it be before these amazing 

are fulfilled?   The man in linen lifted his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and swore by him who lives

forever saying "It will be for a time, times and half a time.  When the power of the holy people has been finally broken, all

these things will be completed.  God would not tell Daniel when that time would be.

 

Thanks Dianne Hance!

 

________________________________________________________________________

TODAY'S QUIZ: In what year of the reign of King Darius did Zechariah prophesy?

_______________________________________________________________________________________

CALENDAR:

Mon- Confirmation 5-6:15;  Family Night 6:15-7:30pm (Marilyn is on vacation all week)

Tues- Quilting 9-2; Bible Study 11:30-12:15

Wed- Choir 7pm

Thurs- Alzheimer's Support group 1pm; Karate 5-7:45

Sat-  Worship 5
Sun- SCRIP ORDERS DUE; Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
WORSHIP WORKERS:  
Acolyte-  8:30- Jacob Cluver; 11- Alaina Heitgerd
Ushers-  Don Hance, Rich Boeger, Don Tate, Doug Walters
Altar- Set up- Ruth Walters; Clean up- Terry McKenzie
Communion Assistants- Sat- Randy Sweet; 8:30- Rich Talbert; 11- Charlie Figura
Greeters- 8:30- Doug and Ruth Walters; 11- Steve and Sandy Robine
Lay readers- Sat- Judy Koprowski 8:30- Betty Schirr 11- Kailyn Blechle
Sat. Pianist- Tim Sherman
Organist-  Rachel Fisher
Projectionists: Sat. Pam Bueltmann, 8:30- Dawn Sherman, 11- Hannah Johnson
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
NEWS!!!!  PLEASE READ IT ALL!!!!

SCRIP ORDERS DUE THIS SUNDAY!!!!! 

A NEW AND EASY FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITY!!!  Place your order for, along with your check, made payable to St. Johns, in the "Bob the Builder" box. 

 

The order forms are on the table in the narthex!  Just about every store that you can think of is on the list!  Use the cards just like you would use a debit/credit card and help St. John's make  A LOT of money!

  
 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

TWO MORE DAYS FOR OPERATION BACKPACK FOR SEPTEMBER!  IT IS CANNED FRUIT!! 

Bring your canned fruit by pastor's office if you want it included!!

Many children in our community are very poor.  They are able to get some of their meals at school during the week, but often go hungry on weekends.  Operation backpack is a way that our community has decided to help these kids. 
 
Every month throughout the school year, each church participating will take one food item and collect just that food item.  At the end of the month the food will be delivered to school.  The school officials along with volunteers will distribute the food to kids backpacks to take home.   

Throughout the month of September we will be collecting canned fruit . All size cans and even individual portions will be accepted.  The fruit will be delivered to the schools October 1.   We will have a box in the narthex for deposits.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 
UNMARKED BLUE ENVELOPE CONTRIBUTIONS ARE GOING TO THE BUILDING EXPANSION PROGRAM
If you'd like it to go to the DCE fund you need to mark it for that!  Please make sure you mark the ENVELOPE clearly for the DCE PROGRAM!
________________________________________________________________________________________
DO YOU HAVE A KROGER CARD?  ENROLL IT IN THE COMMUNITY REWARDS PROGRAM!!!
Register it online www.krogercommunityrewards.com and have it swiped each time you shop to earn money for Little Lambs. 
 
__________________________________________________________________________________________

GENERAL PRAYERS:

For DON PANHORST who found out that he has cancer last week and is starting chemo this (MONDAY) morning. 

 

For JAMIE, a FRIEND OF CHRISTY WINN, whose daughter, KAYLA, died suddenly last night.

 

For BROOKS EBERT, infant son of Derek and Andrea, who finally, after a month, was able to eat his first bottle on his own on Thursday.   He may get to go home soon.

 

For PHYLLIS HOELSCHER who is recovering from knee replacement surgery at home.

 

For DENISE SCHLESSELMANN as she is back in the Czech Republic to continue her mission work.

 

For DAVE AND CAROL KOHRS, who are BOTH on hospice care.

 

For WILMA WEIGLE as she continues to deal with the after effects of a severe stroke almost two years ago.  

Daily Email: Thursday, September 24, 2015

 
DEVOTION: 

 

I am including all three readings for this weekend, because I missed the last two days and there won't be a Friday devotion

 
Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29
⁴ Now the rabble that was among them had a strong craving. And the people of Israel also wept again and said, "Oh that we had meat to eat! ⁵ We remember the fish we ate in Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. ⁶ But now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at."

 

¹⁰ Moses heard the people weeping throughout their clans, everyone at the door of his tent. And the anger of the Lord blazed hotly, and Moses was displeased. ¹¹ Moses said to the Lord, "Why have you dealt ill with your servant? And why have I not found favor in your sight, that you lay the burden of all this people on me? ¹² Did I conceive all this people? Did I give them birth, that you should say to me, 'Carry them in your bosom, as a nurse carries a nursing child,' to the land that you swore to give their fathers? ¹³ Where am I to get meat to give to all this people? For they weep before me and say, 'Give us meat, that we may eat.' ¹⁴ I am not able to carry all this people alone; the burden is too heavy for me. ¹⁵ If you will treat me like this, kill me at once, if I find favor in your sight, that I may not see my wretchedness."

 

²⁴ So Moses went out and told the people the words of the Lord. And he gathered seventy men of the elders of the people and placed them around the tent. ²⁵ Then the Lord came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and took some of the Spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders. And as soon as the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied. But they did not continue doing it.

²⁶ Now two men remained in the camp, one named Eldad, and the other named Medad, and the Spirit rested on them. They were among those registered, but they had not gone out to the tent, and so they prophesied in the camp. ²⁷ And a young man ran and told Moses, "Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp." ²⁸ And Joshua the son of Nun, the assistant of Moses from his youth, said, "My lord Moses, stop them." ²⁹ But Moses said to him, "Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the Lord's people were prophets, that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!"

 

¹⁶ Then the Lord said to Moses, "Gather for me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them, and bring them to the tent of meeting, and let them take their stand there with you.

 
 
 
 
James 5 (ESV)

5 Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. ² Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. ³ Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days. ⁴ Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. ⁵ You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. ⁶ You have condemned and murdered the righteous person. He does not resist you.

 

⁷ Be patient, therefore, brothers,^[a] until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. ⁸ You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. ⁹ Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. ¹⁰ As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. ¹¹ Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

¹² But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your "yes" be yes and your "no" be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.

 

¹³ Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. ¹⁴ Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. ¹⁵ And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. ¹⁶ Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.^{[b] 17} Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. ¹⁸ Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.

¹⁹ My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, ²⁰ let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

 

 

Mark 9:38-50 (ESV

³⁸ John said to him, "Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name,^[a] and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us." ³⁹ But Jesus said, "Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. ⁴⁰ For the one who is not against us is for us. ⁴¹ For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward.

 

⁴² "Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin,^[b] it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea. ⁴³ And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell,^[c] to the unquenchable fire.^{[d] 45} And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. ⁴⁷ And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, ⁴⁸ 'where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.' ⁴⁹ For everyone will be salted with fire.^{[e] 50} Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another."

 

 

Do you see a theme in these readings?  Three words can sum up these three readings for today.  Jealousy, covetousness, and discontentedness.   

 

Our world has been destroyed by these things.   Many churches have been destroyed by these things.  Many lives and families have been destroyed by these things.  There is a reason there are two commandments in our catechism that deal with coveting.  it is that serious. 

 

There is also a reason Paul tells Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:6, "Godliness with CONTENTMENT is great gain."  It is so important for all of us to learn!

 

So the question is how do we become content?  We live our lives in the mercy and grace of Jesus!  That's how!  As Christians, we need to know the place from which our joy comes.  It doesn't come from stuff.  It doesn't come from power.  it doesn't come from fame or prestige.  Those things may provide some physical comfort or emotional release, but it never lasts.  Thy really become like drugs.  You get a high from it, then when it gets old, you lose that buzz, and so you need more, and more, and more. 

 

Stop trying to get your contentment from the things of this world!  get your contentment and satisfaction from the perfect love of Jesus, knowing that in him is life and salvation!  Be content in Jesus and you will have joy, satisfaction, and peace!

 

Let us pray:  Help us to be satisfied in You alone!  Amen. 

 

 

 

 

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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:  What made King Nebuchadnezzar go temporarily insane?  He had a crazy dream that Daniel was able to interpret.  Daniel accused of him of false pride and his p[ride drove him insane. 

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TODAY'S QUIZ: What was Daniel's last vision about?

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CALENDAR:

Thurs- Karate 5-7:45

Fri- Newsletter assembly 9am;

Sat-  Worship 5
Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45
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WORSHIP WORKERS:  
Acolyte-  8:30- Hailey Blechle; 11- Jack Bunge
Ushers-  Figura Family
Altar- Set up- Ruth Walters; Clean Up- Don and Ann Panhorst
Communion Assistants- Sat- John Hachtel; 8:30- Rich Talbert; 11- Jim Rahn
Greeters- 8:30- Don and Wanda Turnure; 11- Dan and Lisa Rausch
Lay readers- Sat- Marcia Sevier 8:30- Jenniffer Figura 11- Jim Rahn
Sat. Pianist- Molly Hendershot
Organist-  Rachel Fisher
Projectionists: NO PROJECTION THIS WEEKEND
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NEWS!!!!  PLEASE READ IT ALL!!!!

 

OPERATION BACKPACK FOR SEPTEMBER  IS CANNED FRUIT!!

Many children in our community are very poor.  They are able to get some of their meals at school during the week, but often go hungry on weekends.  Operation backpack is a way that our community has decided to help these kids. 
 
Every month throughout the school year, each church participating will take one food item and collect just that food item.  At the end of the month the food will be delivered to school.  The school officials along with volunteers will distribute the food to kids backpacks to take home.   

Throughout the month of September we will be collecting canned fruit . All size cans and even individual portions will be accepted.  The fruit will be delivered to the schools October 1.   We will have a box in the narthex for deposits.

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SHOP WITH SCRIP!!  A NEW AND EASY FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITY!!!

 Place your order for, along with your check, made payable to St. Johns, in the "Bob the Builder" box.  For additional information or to get your questions answered, call the church office.  456-2888.

  
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UNMARKED BLUE ENVELOPE CONTRIBUTIONS ARE GOING TO THE BUILDING EXPANSION PROGRAM
If you'd like it to go to the DCE fund you need to mark it for that!  Please make sure you mark the ENVELOPE clearly for the DCE PROGRAM!
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DO YOU HAVE A KROGER CARD?  ENROLL IT IN THE COMMUNITY REWARDS PROGRAM!!!
Register it online www.krogercommunityrewards.com and have it swiped each time you shop to earn money for Little Lambs. 
 
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GENERAL PRAYERS:

For BROOKS EBERT, infant son of Derek and Andrea, who was born prematurely and is dealing with lung troubles as they grow. 

 

For PHYLLIS HOELSCHER who is recovering from knee replacement surgery at home.

 

For DENISE SCHLESSELMANN as she is back in the Czech Republic to continue her mission work.

 

For DAVE AND CAROL KOHRS, who are BOTH on hospice care.

 

For WILMA WEIGLE as she continues to deal with the after effects of a severe stroke almost two years ago.  

Great Daily Devotion - September 24, 2015 "No Substitutions"

-------- Original message --------
From: Lutheran Hour Ministries <lh_min@lhm.org>
Date: 09/23/2015 5:51 PM (GMT-06:00)
To: Jeremy Klaustermeier <revklaus@hotmail.com>
Subject: LHM Daily Devotion - September 24, 2015 "No Substitutions"

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries By Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour   Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin!  Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).    "No Substitutions"  September 24, 2015   (Jesus said) "Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There he is!' do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand." Matthew 24:23-25 Husband and wife, Mercedes and Richard, were Texans who were missionaries in Latin America. Last May, at a private hospital in El Salvador, Mercedes gave birth to a son. She left the hospital with her baby and, after a while, the couple returned to the U.S. of A. This is the part of the story where I'm supposed to say, "And father, mother, and son lived happily ever after." Well, I can't type that line because Mercedes had a sneaky suspicion something wasn't right. In this case, the "something" was her baby. He didn't seem like the child she had held right after giving birth. Yes, the child she was nursing was a beautiful baby, and she loved him, but ... eventually the feeling grew so strong Mercedes and her husband had the doctors run a DNA test. That test showed Mercedes' intuition had been spot on. There was a zero percent chance the baby belonged to them. Fearing their biological baby had fallen victim to child traffickers, they returned to El Salvador. The hospital ran tests on all the baby boys who had been born that day, and they found a match. There was sadness as the families gave up the infants they had loved. There was joy in those families to know they now had the right child, their child. Having read that story I continued on, reading the many reactions people had to the mix-up. I was surprised: not a single person thought those mothers should be content with the baby they had been given. Not a single individual said, "What's the big deal? Isn't one baby just as good as any other baby?" Nobody said such a thing, because saying such a thing would be very, very foolish. It is also very, very foolish when people say, "One way to heaven is as good as any other" or "All religions are the same" or "As long as you are sincere in your beliefs, it doesn't much matter what you hold to be true." In the passage above, Jesus warned that the time would come when charlatans would arise and claim to be the Christ. Jesus told us those fakers would perform some razzly-dazzly tricks. When that happens, Jesus warned, "Don't you believe them, there is only one Savior, and that Savior is Me. Following the orders of My Father in heaven, I have begun and finished winning forgiveness and salvation for all who are brought to faith in Me." It was Jesus' way of rephrasing today's advertisers, who say, "Accept no substitutions." THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, no matter what the world may say, no matter what false messiahs may claim, help us always to remember: "There is salvation in no one else (other than Jesus), for there is no other Name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). This I ask in my Savor's Name. Amen. In Christ I remain His servant and yours, Pastor Ken Klaus Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour® Lutheran Hour Ministries Print this devotion Subscribe to this podcast! Through the Bible in a Year Today Read: Isaiah 34-36; Romans 4 The Lutheran Hour Sign up for LHM news Pastor Klaus bio Change my email address    subscribe / unsubscribe / sign-up for plain text / visit our website   660 Mason Ridge Center Dr. St. Louis, MO 63141 1-800-876-9880 www.lhm.org

Sermon from last Sunday

Enjoy and share! 
 
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVkgD1HOans&feature=em-upload_owner#action=share