Daily Email: Thursday, January 21, 2016

DEVOTION  Luke 4:16-30
¹⁶ And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. ¹⁷ And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written,

¹⁸ "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
    because he has anointed me
    to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives
    and recovering of sight to the blind,
    to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
¹⁹ to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."

²⁰ And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down.And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. ²¹ And he began to say to them, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." ²² And all spoke well of him and marveled at the gracious words that were coming from his mouth. And they said, "Is not this Joseph's son?" ²³ And he said to them, "Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, 'Physician, heal yourself.' What we have heard you did at Capernaum, do here in your hometown as well." ²⁴ And he said, "Truly, I say to you, no prophet is acceptable in his hometown. ²⁵ But in truth, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heavens were shut up three years and six months, and a great famine came over all the land, ²⁶ and Elijah was sent to none of them but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. ²⁷ And there were many lepers^[a] in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian." ²⁸ When they heard these things, all in the synagogue were filled with wrath. ²⁹ And they rose up and drove him out of the town and brought him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they could throw him down the cliff. ³⁰ But passing through their midst, he went away.

 
The word "fickle" means "changing frequently especially as it regards one's loyalties interests, or affections.  As you read the passage above, were you as struck by the fickleness of the people in Nazareth as I was? 
 
At first they were happy to see him.  Here was this hometown boy who made something good out of his life.  As he read the passage, they were all so very proud of him.  They had also heard that he had done miracles all over the place, so they couldn't wait for him to do some in his hometown as well.  Surely he would do some great things.  
 
That's when things took a drastic turn.  Jesus doesn't tell them what they want to hear.  In fact, he tells them that there won't be any miracles done there in Nazareth.  Instead, he is going to be going to the Gentiles.  To the people in Nazareth, this was the most offensive thing he could say and do.  They got so mad at him, that he would rather spend time with the Gentiles and foreigners than the people of his hometown, that they started a riot and were about to when Jesus, and I don't know how he really did it, but it said he passed through their midst and got away.  
 
The feelings of the people about Jesus went from pure pride and joy to wrath and disappointment in an instant simply because Jesus said something they didn't want to hear.  
 
How fickle are you when it comes to Jesus, faith, and the church?  If I were to say something you didn't like, even if it were true and you needed to hear it, would you leave the church?  
 
The law doesn't feel good when it hits us between the eyes.  Our first reaction to someone telling us that we're doing something wrong is probably not going to be favorable.  Yet, can we or should we hate someone when they tell us the truth even when it hurts?  
 
You're gonna have to come to church this weekend to get the rest of this message.  
 
Let us pray: Lord, help me to take you at your word, and help me to appreciate those who preach and speak your word to me, even when it hurts.  Help me to trust and have faith in all of you and not just the things that I like about you.  Amen.  

__________________________________________________________________
CALENDAR:
Thurs- Newsletter deadline
Sat-  Basement reserved; worship 5pm (Pastor Grund will be here.)
Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45; High School youth Bible Study 5pm
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
WORSHIP WORKERS:  
Acolyte-  8:30- Jack Bunge; 11- Jacob Cluver

Ushers-  Marv Hendershot, Don Luebke, Dave Callies, Don Nolte

Altar- Set up- Marilyn Foster, and Sue Ruhl; Clean up- Lois Boeger

Elders- Sat- John Hachtel; 8:30- Jason Cluver; 11- Jim Rahn

Greeters- 8:30- Rob and Julie Schaumberg; 11- Dan and Lisa Rausch

Lay readers- Sat- John Hachtel; 8:30-Jacob Nagel; 11 - Jim Rahn

Sat. Pianist- Molly Hendershot

Organist-  Rachel Fisher

Projectionists:  Sat- (None, Pastor Grund here) 8:30-  Alaina Heitgerd; 11- Zack Hoelscher
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
YESTERDAY'S  BIBLE QUIZ:    What did Shechem do to Dinah, and what did Dinah's brothers do in revenge?

This answer comes from Denise Schlesselmann all the way in the Czech Republic. 

 

So the answer to the question is that Shechem the Hivite saw Dinah while she was visiting the Hivite women. Dinah is the oft forgoten sibling of Joseph and his brothers. Shechem was the son of the ruler. Shechem decided Dinah was the girl for him but instead of first asking his dad to get the girl for him he "took her and violated her". But then he really fell in love with her and spoke tenderly to her. So now he asked his dad to get Dinah to be his wife. Hamor, Shechem's dad went to Jacob while his sons were there and told him "My son loves your daughter, let's have them get married. Then your sons can marry our daughters. You can live in our land." Shechem chimes in "I will pay any price I just want the girl!" Jacobs sons said "Okay but only if you get circumcised." Hamor and his sons said "Okay." They convinced all the men in the city to be circumcised so that they could marry into Jacob's family and the men could get their property too. 3 days after the circumcision Simeon and Levi went to the city and killed every man. The took Dinah back too. Then they took all their property, wives and children. Jacob was angry because he knew all the people where they lived were angry with Jacob's family. But the brothers said they were only defending their sister. It was after this that God told Jacob to leave and gave him the name of Israel

___________________________________________________________________________

TODAY'S QUIZ:  What was Jacob's name changed to?  (Hint: It is the name of a country that is still around today.)

______________________________________________________________________________________________

NEWS!!!! 

 

HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH BIBLE STUDY MEETING AND PIZZA SUNDAY JANUARY 24 @ 5PM!!

We will be talking about what it means to live in God's grace without getting lazy.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

2016 ALTAR FLOWER CHART IS PRETTY EMPTY!!

It is hanging on the bulletin board in the narthex.  Sign up if you wish to place flowers on the altar!  If it is for a special occasion (in memory of loved one, birthday, anniversary, etc.) please indicate that as well.  Cost is $25 payable to St. John's. 

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

FELLOWSHIP REFRESHMENT SIGN UP SHEET IN ON THE WALL BY THE COFFEE POT.  IF YOU HAVE BEEN THE RECIPIENT OF DONUTS IN THE PAST, MAYBE IT'S TIME YOU GIVE BACK!!!

Sign up today and make some Sunday school kid's day!

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS ARE IN YOUR MAILBOXES!!! 

Are you getting ready to do your taxes?  Don't forget about your offering statements in your church mailboxes!  You could even give the money you get back from this itemization to church! 

_________________________________________________________________________________

 

PLEASE COME AND GET YOUR DISHES FROM THE KITCHEN!!

One more week and then those dishes that are left will be taken to Good Shepherd Thrift Store to be sold.

_________________________________________________________________________

YOUTH STEAK DINNER AND AUCTION TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW!!

Tickets are $25 a piece.  All proceeds go to help our youth afford their trip down to New Orleans for the National Youth Gathering as well as do many other service projects and youth events.

 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

OPERATION BACKPACK FOR JANUARY IS CANNED FRUIT!!

You can also do individual size cups.

 

(Remember this is for the poor and needy children of our community and county that often receive two breakfast and lunch at school, and have very little or no food at home.)

___________________________________________________________________________________

GENERAL PRAYERS:

For BABY BLAKE, a young child who received a kidney transplant from Laurie Jansen, a friend of many in the congregation.

 

For MARIANNE LINKE, as she remains in Warrenton Manor due to trouble with congestive heart troubles and pneumonia.

 

For JOANNE HACHTEL, as she recovers from rotator cuff surgery.

 

For PASTOR MCCRACKEN, from Trinity in Troy, who is on a two month leave to heal from cancer treatments.

 

For PASTOR PIPER, from St. Paul, New Melle, as he recovers from a heart attack he had while running a 5K in Florida.

 

For THOSE DEALING WITH FLOODING PROBLEMS in the days and weeks ahead, that the Lord would provide for their needs, and use us, if need be, to help. 

 

For DENISE SCHLESSELMANN as she is in need of more funding to continue her mission work in the Czech Republic.

 

Daily Email: Wednesday, January 20, 2016

DEVOTION:  1 Corinthians 12:12-31a

One Body with Many Members

¹² For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. ¹³ For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves^[a] or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.
¹⁴ For the body does not consist of one member but of many. ¹⁵ If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. ¹⁶ And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. ¹⁷ If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? ¹⁸ But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. ¹⁹ If all were a single member, where would the body be? ²⁰ As it is, there are many parts,^[b] yet one body.
²¹ The eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you," nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." ²² On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, ²³ and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, ²⁴ which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, ²⁵ that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. ²⁶ If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.
²⁷ Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. ²⁸ And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. ²⁹ Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? ³⁰ Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? ³¹ But earnestly desire the higher gifts.
 
 
We all have our parts to play in the church.  No one person is more important than another.  It is one big family! 
 
Do you think of the church as your family?  Or is it just like a membership in any other club in which you pay your dues to get something out of it? 
 
In a family, every person has his or her thing to do, responsibility to the greater good.  In a family everyone in it has something invested in it.  If you are a member of a family, the family is yours.  A club is owned and run by someone else.  You just come and pay your dues and get the benefits. 
 
Have you ever had something as small as a hangnail.  That little soreness effects your whole body.  When you bump it on something the whole body cringes.  Or if you have a sore bac, are you able to concentrate on anything else? 
 
So it is with the church.  We rejoice together and we suffer together.  We are a FAMILY!  We are the BODY OF CHRIST!
 
Prayer:  Lord, make me live as part of the body of Christ and take my membership in that body, that family, seriously.  Amen.

__________________________________________________________________
CALENDAR:
Wed- Ladies Aid meeting canceled due to snow; Choir 7pm
Thurs- Newsletter deadline
Sat-  Basement reserved; worship 5pm (Pastor Grund will be here.)
Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45; High School youth Bible Study 5pm
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
WORSHIP WORKERS:  
Acolyte-  8:30- Jack Bunge; 11- Jacob Cluver

Ushers-  Marv Hendershot, Don Luebke, Dave Callies, Don Nolte

Altar- Set up- Marilyn Foster, and Sue Ruhl; Clean up- Lois Boeger

Elders- Sat- John Hachtel; 8:30- Jason Cluver; 11- Jim Rahn

Greeters- 8:30- Rob and Julie Schaumberg; 11- Dan and Lisa Rausch

Lay readers- Sat- John Hachtel; 8:30-Jacob Nagel; 11 - Jim Rahn

Sat. Pianist- Molly Hendershot

Organist-  Rachel Fisher

Projectionists:  Sat- (None, Pastor Grund here) 8:30-  Alaina Heitgerd; 11- Zack Hoelscher
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
YESTERDAY'S  BIBLE QUIZ:    What did Shechem do to Dinah, and what did Dinah's brothers do in revenge?

 

(No answer yesterday so I'm leaving it up till I get one!)

___________________________________________________________________________

NEWS!!!! 

2016 ALTAR FLOWER CHART IS PRETTY EMPTY!!

It is hanging on the bulletin board in the narthex.  Sign up if you wish to place flowers on the altar!  If it is for a special occasion (in memory of loved one, birthday, anniversary, etc.) please indicate that as well.  Cost is $25 payable to St. John's. 

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

FELLOWSHIP REFRESHMENT SIGN UP SHEET IN ON THE WALL BY THE COFFEE POT.  IF YOU HAVE BEEN THE RECIPIENT OF DONUTS IN THE PAST, MAYBE IT'S TIME YOU GIVE BACK!!!

Sign up today and make some Sunday school kid's day!

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS ARE IN YOUR MAILBOXES!!! 

Are you getting ready to do your taxes?  Don't forget about your offering statements in your church mailboxes!  You could even give the money you get back from this itemization to church! 

_________________________________________________________________________________

HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH BIBLE STUDY MEETING AND PIZZA SUNDAY JANUARY 24 @ 5PM!!

We will be talking about what it means to live in God's grace without getting lazy.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

PLEASE COME AND GET YOUR DISHES FROM THE KITCHEN!!

One more week and then those dishes that are left will be taken to Good Shepherd Thrift Store to be sold.

_________________________________________________________________________

YOUTH STEAK DINNER AND AUCTION TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW!!

Tickets are $25 a piece.  All proceeds go to help our youth afford their trip down to New Orleans for the National Youth Gathering as well as do many other service projects and youth events.

 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

OPERATION BACKPACK FOR JANUARY IS CANNED FRUIT!!

You can also do individual size cups.

 

(Remember this is for the poor and needy children of our community and county that often receive two breakfast and lunch at school, and have very little or no food at home.)

___________________________________________________________________________________

GENERAL PRAYERS:

For BABY BLAKE, a young child who received a kidney transplant from Laurie Jansen, a friend of many in the congregation.

 

For KAILYN AND HAILEY BLECHLE AND THEIR FAMILY as they mourn the loss of their great grandpa Ray Wilson.  

 

For MARIANNE LINKE, as she remains in Warrenton Manor due to trouble with congestive heart troubles and pneumonia.

 

For JOANNE HACHTEL, as she recovers from rotator cuff surgery.

 

For PASTOR MCCRACKEN, from Trinity in Troy, who is on a two month leave to heal from cancer treatments.

 

For PASTOR PIPER, from St. Paul, New Melle, as he recovers from a heart attack he had while running a 5K in Florida.

 

For THOSE DEALING WITH FLOODING PROBLEMS in the days and weeks ahead, that the Lord would provide for their needs, and use us, if need be, to help. 

 

For DENISE SCHLESSELMANN as she is in need of more funding to continue her mission work in the Czech Republic.

 

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FW: Daily Email: Tuesday, January 19, 2016

DEVOTION:  1 Corinthians 12:12-31a

One Body with Many Members

¹² For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. ¹³ For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves^[a] or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.
¹⁴ For the body does not consist of one member but of many. ¹⁵ If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. ¹⁶ And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. ¹⁷ If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? ¹⁸ But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. ¹⁹ If all were a single member, where would the body be? ²⁰ As it is, there are many parts,^[b] yet one body.
²¹ The eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you," nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." ²² On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, ²³ and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, ²⁴ which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, ²⁵ that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. ²⁶ If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.
²⁷ Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. ²⁸ And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. ²⁹ Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? ³⁰ Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? ³¹ But earnestly desire the higher gifts.
 
 
We all have our parts to play in the church.  No one person is more important than another.  It is one big family! 
 
Do you think of the church as your family?  Or is it just like a membership in any other club in which you pay your dues to get something out of it? 
 
In a family, every person has his or her thing to do, responsibility to the greater good.  In a family everyone in it has something invested in it.  If you are a member of a family, the family is yours.  A club is owned and run by someone else.  You just come and pay your dues and get the benefits. 
 
Have you ever had something as small as a hangnail.  That little soreness effects your whole body.  When you bump it on something the whole body cringes.  Or if you have a sore bac, are you able to concentrate on anything else? 
 
So it is with the church.  We rejoice together and we suffer together.  We are a FAMILY!  We are the BODY OF CHRIST!
 
Prayer:  Lord, make me live as part of the body of Christ and take my membership in that body, that family, seriously.  Amen.

__________________________________________________________________
CALENDAR:

Wed- Ladies Aid meeting at noon; Choir 7pm
Thurs- Newsletter deadline
Sat-  Basement reserved; worship 5pm (Pastor Grund will be here.)
Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45; High School youth Bible Study 5pm
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
WORSHIP WORKERS:  
Acolyte-  8:30- Jack Bunge; 11- Jacob Cluver

Ushers-  Marv Hendershot, Don Luebke, Dave Callies, Don Nolte

Altar- Set up- Marilyn Foster, and Sue Ruhl; Clean up- Lois Boeger

Elders- Sat- John Hachtel; 8:30- Jason Cluver; 11- Jim Rahn

Greeters- 8:30- Rob and Julie Schaumberg; 11- Dan and Lisa Rausch

Lay readers- Sat- John Hachtel; 8:30-Jacob Nagel; 11 - Jim Rahn

Sat. Pianist- Molly Hendershot

Organist-  Rachel Fisher

Projectionists:  Sat- (None, Pastor Grund here) 8:30-  Alaina Heitgerd; 11- Zack Hoelscher
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
YESTERDAY'S  BIBLE QUIZ:    What did Shechem do to Dinah, and what did Dinah's brothers do in revenge?

 

(No answer yesterday so I'm leaving it up till I get one!)

___________________________________________________________________________

NEWS!!!! 

2016 ALTAR FLOWER CHART IS PRETTY EMPTY!!

It is hanging on the bulletin board in the narthex.  Sign up if you wish to place flowers on the altar!  If it is for a special occasion (in memory of loved one, birthday, anniversary, etc.) please indicate that as well.  Cost is $25 payable to St. John's. 

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

FELLOWSHIP REFRESHMENT SIGN UP SHEET IN ON THE WALL BY THE COFFEE POT.  IF YOU HAVE BEEN THE RECIPIENT OF DONUTS IN THE PAST, MAYBE IT'S TIME YOU GIVE BACK!!!

Sign up today and make some Sunday school kid's day!

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS ARE IN YOUR MAILBOXES!!! 

Are you getting ready to do your taxes?  Don't forget about your offering statements in your church mailboxes!  You could even give the money you get back from this itemization to church! 

_________________________________________________________________________________

HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH BIBLE STUDY MEETING AND PIZZA SUNDAY JANUARY 24 @ 5PM!!

We will be talking about what it means to live in God's grace without getting lazy.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

PLEASE COME AND GET YOUR DISHES FROM THE KITCHEN!!

One more week and then those dishes that are left will be taken to Good Shepherd Thrift Store to be sold.

_________________________________________________________________________

YOUTH STEAK DINNER AND AUCTION TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW!!

Tickets are $25 a piece.  All proceeds go to help our youth afford their trip down to New Orleans for the National Youth Gathering as well as do many other service projects and youth events.

 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

OPERATION BACKPACK FOR JANUARY IS CANNED FRUIT!!

You can also do individual size cups.

 

(Remember this is for the poor and needy children of our community and county that often receive two breakfast and lunch at school, and have very little or no food at home.)

___________________________________________________________________________________

GENERAL PRAYERS:

For BABY BLAKE, a young child who received a kidney transplant from Laurie Jansen, a friend of many in the congregation.

 

For KAILYN AND HAILEY BLECHLE AND THEIR FAMILY as they mourn the loss of their great grandpa Ray Wilson.  

 

For MARIANNE LINKE, as she remains in Warrenton Manor due to trouble with congestive heart troubles and pneumonia.

 

For JOANNE HACHTEL, as she recovers from rotator cuff surgery.

 

For PASTOR MCCRACKEN, from Trinity in Troy, who is on a two month leave to heal from cancer treatments.

 

For PASTOR PIPER, from St. Paul, New Melle, as he recovers from a heart attack he had while running a 5K in Florida.

 

For THOSE DEALING WITH FLOODING PROBLEMS in the days and weeks ahead, that the Lord would provide for their needs, and use us, if need be, to help. 

 

For DENISE SCHLESSELMANN as she is in need of more funding to continue her mission work in the Czech Republic.

 

--
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To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to stjohnswarrenton+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
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UPCOMING WEBINAR - Equipping the Parents of Prodigal Young Adults

I thought this looked very interesting, and would be very helpful to many PARENTS OF ADULT CHILDREN WHO HAVE LEFT THE CHURCH OR ARE CURRENTLY INACTIVE.  Check it out and sign up! 

UPCOMING WEBINAR - Saturday, January 23 10 a.m. Central Time Equipping the Parents of Prodigal Young Adults Speaker: Paula Isakson Join us on Saturday, January 23rd at 10 a.m. Central Standard Time for a live, one-hour webinar: Equipping the Parents of Prodigal Young Adults with guest speaker, Paula Isakson. Many Christian parents are devastated to see their children leave the church. The feelings of failure, anger, and sadness can leave parents feeling isolated and helpless. Isakson, founder of Faith Family Reunion, will share her own prodigal story and give tools to reach parents of prodigals with the life-changing message of hope and support. Click here to participate, then create a user name and click "enter as guest". Visit www.lhm.org/missionu Courses Webinar Series Contact Us   UPCOMING COURSES 1/30/2016: MU-101 The Village Lutheran Church Lacombe, Louisiana 1/30/2016: MU-201 Hope Lutheran Church Shawnee, Kansas 1/30/2016: MU-301 St. Paul's Lutheran Church Strasburg, Illinois 2/6/2016: MU-102 Mount Calvary Lutheran Church Janesville, Wisconsin view full schedule >>     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

Daily Email: Tuesday, January 19, 2016

DEVOTION: Nehemiah 8:1-10 (ESV)

Ezra Reads the Law

8 And all the people gathered as one man into the square before the Water Gate. And they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses that the Lord had commanded Israel. ² So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could understand what they heard, on the first day of the seventh month. ³ And he read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand. And the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law.

 
⁵ And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was above all the people, and as he opened it all the people stood. ⁶ And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people answered, "Amen, Amen," lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.
 
⁸ They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly,^[a] and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.
⁹ And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, "This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep." For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law. ¹⁰ Then he said to them, "Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."
 
 
Have you ever been so struck with guilt that you just fell down and wept?  It's not something that you can force.  You can't fake it.  It only comes naturally as the Holy Spirit uses the law to convict us of sin.  Only if our ears are truly open to hearing his Word and receiving His discipline can this happen. 
 
The Israelites had just returned from spending 70 years in captivity.  We can only imagine the struggles they went through for those 70 years.  Most of them who returned had been born into captivity and really probably had very little idea why they were even in captivity.  The rest remembered what it was like to be free and longed for it every day. 
 
When Ezra got up to read the law, I'm sure they were all in wonder and were eager to hear what God had to say to them,  Eager, that is, until Ezra got to the part where God tells them that if they are careful to keep the whole law and obey God and keep his commandments, they will live long in the land the Lord their God gave to them.  But if they do not keep the commandments, decrees, and laws they will not live long in the land, they began to feel the weight of their sin and come to understand that it was their own fault that they had been taken into captivity.  When they heard things like ""You shall have no other gods" and Honor your father and mother, and "Remember" the Sabbath", it was like a huge weight was dropped onto their shoulders and they were filled with grief and shame. 
 
I pray that you have, at one time or another, had this experience, only because it is how you SHOULD feel about your sin.  The weight of the guilt of your sin should crush you.  It should cause you great grief.  You should be knocked to the floor in utter shame and disgust. 
 
But don't stay in that shame and disgust.  Notice what Ezra tells the people.  He says, "This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.  Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."
 
Rejoice!  Your sins are forgiven!  Don't excuse sin.  Don't make it less than it really is.  Especially don't call sin good.  But also know that because of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, the power of sin has been destroyed and you are free from it.  Rejoice that the victory is won, and that you will be with Jesus forever!
 
Prayer: Lord, make me feel the weight of my sin and then lift that weight off of me by your mercy and grace.   Amen.
 
__________________________________________________________________
CALENDAR:

Tues- Quilters 9-2; Bible Study 11:30-12:15; Council Meeting 7pm

Wed- Ladies Aid meeting at noon; Choir 7pm
Thurs- Newsletter deadline
Sat-  Basement reserved; worship 5pm (Pastor Grund will be here.)
Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45; High School youth Bible Study 5pm
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
WORSHIP WORKERS:  
Acolyte-  8:30- Jack Bunge; 11- Jacob Cluver

Ushers-  Marv Hendershot, Don Luebke, Dave Callies, Don Nolte

Altar- Set up- Marilyn Foster, and Sue Ruhl; Clean up- Lois Boeger

Elders- Sat- John Hachtel; 8:30- Jason Cluver; 11- Jim Rahn

Greeters- 8:30- Rob and Julie Schaumberg; 11- Dan and Lisa Rausch

Lay readers- Sat- John Hachtel; 8:30-Jacob Nagel; 11 - Jim Rahn

Sat. Pianist- Molly Hendershot

Organist-  Rachel Fisher

Projectionists:  Sat- (None, Pastor Grund here) 8:30-  Alaina Heitgerd; 11- Zack Hoelscher
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
YESTERDAY'S  BIBLE QUIZ:    What did Joseph do to make sure his brothers came back after he sent them to get his youngest brother, Benjamin?  He made Simeon stay behind. 

__________________________________________________________________________________________

TODAY'S QUIZ: What did Shechem do to Dinah, and what did Dinah's brothers do in revenge?

___________________________________________________________________________

NEWS!!!! 

2016 ALTAR FLOWER CHART IS PRETTY EMPTY!!

It is hanging on the bulletin board in the narthex.  Sign up if you wish to place flowers on the altar!  If it is for a special occasion (in memory of loved one, birthday, anniversary, etc.) please indicate that as well.  Cost is $25 payable to St. John's. 

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

FELLOWSHIP REFRESHMENT SIGN UP SHEET IN ON THE WALL BY THE COFFEE POT.  IF YOU HAVE BEEN THE RECIPIENT OF DONUTS IN THE PAST, MAYBE IT'S TIME YOU GIVE BACK!!!

Sign up today and make some Sunday school kid's day!

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS ARE IN YOUR MAILBOXES!!! 

Are you getting ready to do your taxes?  Don't forget about your offering statements in your church mailboxes!  You could even give the money you get back from this itemization to church! 

_________________________________________________________________________________

HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH BIBLE STUDY MEETING AND PIZZA SUNDAY JANUARY 24 @ 5PM!!

We will be talking about what it means to live in God's grace without getting lazy.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

PLEASE COME AND GET YOUR DISHES FROM THE KITCHEN!!

One more week and then those dishes that are left will be taken to Good Shepherd Thrift Store to be sold.

_________________________________________________________________________

YOUTH STEAK DINNER AND AUCTION TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW!!

Tickets are $25 a piece.  All proceeds go to help our youth afford their trip down to New Orleans for the National Youth Gathering as well as do many other service projects and youth events.

 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

OPERATION BACKPACK FOR JANUARY IS CANNED FRUIT!!

You can also do individual size cups.

 

(Remember this is for the poor and needy children of our community and county that often receive two breakfast and lunch at school, and have very little or no food at home.)

___________________________________________________________________________________

GENERAL PRAYERS:

For BABY BLAKE, a young child who received a kidney transplant from Laurie Jansen, a friend of many in the congregation.

 

For KAILYN AND HAILEY BLECHLE AND THEIR FAMILY as they mourn the loss of their great grandpa Ray Wilson.  

 

For MARIANNE LINKE, as she remains in Warrenton Manor due to trouble with congestive heart troubles and pneumonia.

 

For JOANNE HACHTEL, as she recovers from rotator cuff surgery.

 

For PASTOR MCCRACKEN, from Trinity in Troy, who is on a two month leave to heal from cancer treatments.

 

For PASTOR PIPER, from St. Paul, New Melle, as he recovers from a heart attack he had while running a 5K in Florida.

 

For THOSE DEALING WITH FLOODING PROBLEMS in the days and weeks ahead, that the Lord would provide for their needs, and use us, if need be, to help. 

 

For DENISE SCHLESSELMANN as she is in need of more funding to continue her mission work in the Czech Republic.

 

Daily Email: Monday, January 18, 2016

DEVOTION: Psalm 19English Standard Version (ESV)

19 The heavens declare the glory of God,
    and the sky above^[a] proclaims his handiwork.
² Day to day pours out speech,
    and night to night reveals knowledge.
³ There is no speech, nor are there words,
    whose voice is not heard.
⁴ Their voice^[b] goes out through all the earth,
    and their words to the end of the world.
In them he has set a tent for the sun,
⁵     which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
    and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
⁶ Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
    and its circuit to the end of them,
    and there is nothing hidden from its heat.

⁷ The law of the Lord is perfect,^[c]
    reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure,
    making wise the simple;
⁸ the precepts of the Lord are right,
    rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure,
    enlightening the eyes;
⁹ the fear of the Lord is clean,
    enduring forever;
the rules^[d] of the Lord are true,
    and righteous altogether.
¹⁰ More to be desired are they than gold,
    even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
    and drippings of the honeycomb.
¹¹ Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
    in keeping them there is great reward.

¹² Who can discern his errors?
    Declare me innocent from hidden faults.
¹³ Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins;
    let them not have dominion over me!
Then I shall be blameless,
    and innocent of great transgression.

¹⁴ Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
    be acceptable in your sight,
    O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

 
 
I love this Psalm, I love all off them, but I especially love this one, because it reminds me not to question God or his Word.  His decrees, commands, and promises are good, right true, certain and final.  They are the first and last word on any subject.  When he says something we better listen and then simply say "OK". 
 
We have no right to argue with God saying things like  "Ya but...." or "What about......?" or, "That may have been ok for that time and place, but....."  or "I think you're wrong God".  
 
We can see from Scripture, especially the Old Testament, what happens when we do.  We become captive to sin and its desires.  We fall away from Almighty God.  We lose our way.  It does us no good to question God's Word.  We can complain, as Job did, when we don't know what God's will is, or when something bad is happening to us and we have no clue why.  We can, as David did, express our grief, pain, or anger to God and he will listen.  But we cannot argue with god when he flat out tells us something. 
 
How would that work at your job?  Say your boss tells you to go and do something, and as soon as he tells you, you retort back with, "I don't agree with that", or "I think you're  wrong" or "Why would you ask me to do that, it doesn't make any sense?"  How long would you have that job?  How much more should we listen to and do what God tells us?  He is our maker and redeemer!!  He controls our very breath!  How dare we question God? 
 
Even more, God has our best interests at heart and he is always looking out for us.  He wants us to survive and thrive in this world, and he knows just how to do it.  He gives us the way to do it.  Why wouldn't we listen to the guy who knows everything about everything?
 
 
 
As LCMS (Lutheran Church Missouri Synod) Christians, we believe that the Word of God (the Bible) is inerrant (without error) and infallible (can stand up to any test).  We believe that it is ALL God's Word.  We believe that it is inspired By God, which means that God breathed into (which is what the word "inspired" means in the Greek) the writers what they were to write word for word.  Peter says in 2 Peter 1:21 "For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." 
 
Let's live in God's Word, listen to him, and submit to His will today!
 
Prayer: Lord, thank you for giving us your word of truth so we can know your salvation, and be made holy by your Spirit.  Amen.
 
 

__________________________________________________________________
CALENDAR:

Mon- Martin Luther King Jr. Day.  No Confirmation or Family Night

Tues- Quilters 9-2; Bible Study 11:30-12:15; Council Meeting 7pm

Wed- Ladies Aid meeting at noon; Choir 7pm
Thurs- Newsletter deadline
Sat-  Basement reserved; worship 5pm (Pastor Grund will be here.)
Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45; High School youth Bible Study 5pm
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
WORSHIP WORKERS:  
Acolyte-  8:30- Jack Bunge; 11- Jacob Cluver

Ushers-  Marv Hendershot, Don Luebke, Dave Callies, Don Nolte

Altar- Set up- Marilyn Foster, and Sue Ruhl; Clean up- Lois Boeger

Elders- Sat- John Hachtel; 8:30- Jason Cluver; 11- Jim Rahn

Greeters- 8:30- Rob and Julie Schaumberg; 11- Dan and Lisa Rausch

Lay readers- Sat- John Hachtel; 8:30-Jacob Nagel; 11 - Jim Rahn

Sat. Pianist- Molly Hendershot

Organist-  Rachel Fisher

Projectionists:  Sat- (None, Pastor Grund here) 8:30-  Alaina Heitgerd; 11- Zack Hoelscher
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
YESTERDAY'S  BIBLE QUIZ:    What was the pillar of stones called "Jegar Sahadutha" or "Galeed" all about? 

⁴⁵ So Jacob took a stone and set it up as a pillar. ⁴⁶ And Jacob said to his kinsmen, "Gather stones." And they took stones and made a heap, and they ate there by the heap. ⁴⁷ Laban called it Jegar-sahadutha,^[a] but Jacob called it Galeed.^{[b] 48} Laban said, "This heap is a witness between you and me today." Therefore he named it Galeed, ⁴⁹ and Mizpah,^[c] for he said, "The Lord watch between you and me, when we are out of one another's sight. ⁵⁰ If you oppress my daughters, or if you take wives besides my daughters, although no one is with us, see, God is witness between you and me."

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

TODAY'S QUIZ: What did Joseph do to make sure his brothers came back after he sent them to get his youngest brother, Benjamin?

__________________________________________________________________________________________

NEWS!!!! 

2016 ALTAR FLOWER CHART IS PRETTY EMPTY!!

It is hanging on the bulletin board in the narthex.  Sign up if you wish to place flowers on the altar!  If it is for a special occasion (in memory of loved one, birthday, anniversary, etc.) please indicate that as well.  Cost is $25 payable to St. John's. 

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

FELLOWSHIP REFRESHMENT SIGN UP SHEET IN ON THE WALL BY THE COFFEE POT.  IF YOU HAVE BEEN THE RECIPIENT OF DONUTS IN THE PAST, MAYBE IT'S TIME YOU GIVE BACK!!!

Sign up today and make some Sunday school kid's day!

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS ARE IN YOUR MAILBOXES!!! 

Are you getting ready to do your taxes?  Don't forget about your offering statements in your church mailboxes!  You could even give the money you get back from this itemization to church! 

_________________________________________________________________________________

HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH BIBLE STUDY MEETING AND PIZZA SUNDAY JANUARY 24 @ 5PM!!

Pastor K. wants to get back in touch with the high school kids after Christmas break, and start to prepare them for the youth gathering coming up this Summer!  Please plan on being there!!!

__________________________________________________________________________________________

PLEASE COME AND GET YOUR DISHES FROM THE KITCHEN!!

One more week and then those dishes that are left will be taken to Good Shepherd Thrift Store to be sold.

_________________________________________________________________________

YOUTH STEAK DINNER AND AUCTION TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW!!

Tickets are $25 a piece.  All proceeds go to help our youth afford their trip down to New Orleans for the National Youth Gathering as well as do many other service projects and youth events.

 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

OPERATION BACKPACK FOR JANUARY IS CANNED FRUIT!!

You can also do individual size cups.

 

(Remember this is for the poor and needy children of our community and county that often receive two breakfast and lunch at school, and have very little or no food at home.)

___________________________________________________________________________________

GENERAL PRAYERS:

For KAILYN AND HAILEY BLECHLE AND THEIR FAMILY as they mourn the loss of their great grandpa Ray Wilson.

 

For PAUL AND TERESA BROCKFELD, soon to become members of St. John's, as their gunsmith business was torched yesterday morning.

 

For MARIANNE LINKE, as she remains in Warrenton Manor due to trouble with congestive heart troubles and pneumonia.

 

For JOANNE HACHTEL, as she recovers from rotator cuff surgery.

 

For PASTOR MCCRACKEN, from Trinity in Troy, who is on a two month leave to heal from cancer treatments.

 

For PASTOR PIPER, from St. Paul, New Melle, as he recovers from a heart attack he had while running a 5K in Florida.

 

For THOSE DEALING WITH FLOODING PROBLEMS in the days and weeks ahead, that the Lord would provide for their needs, and use us, if need be, to help. 

 

For DENISE SCHLESSELMANN as she is in need of more funding to continue her mission work in the Czech Republic.

 

A little snow shouldn't stop you

 Yes, it is snowing, but it isn't as bad as it looks from your window! 
 
Get out and enjoy the winter wonderland and get some Word and Sacrament to warm you up!