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Date: 05/13/2016 9:58 AM (GMT-06:00)
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Subject: The Voice of Missouri E-Newsletter

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PUBLISHED BY THE MISSOURI DISTRICT OF THE LUTHERAN CHURCH—MISSOURI SYNOD May 13, 2016 Our Redeemer, Kansas City Making disciples of all nations is exactly what the Lord is doing at Our Redeemer in Kansas City. He has called and gathered His own from three continents to worship at Our Redeemer. Associate Pastor Vicente Sanchez leads the Hispanic worshippers, Seminarian Shad Deah leads the African members, while Pastor Zerkel leads the English as well as the neighborhood afternoon services.  Read more . . .   Beyond the Voting Booth Tim Goeglein, Vice-President for External Relations with Focus on the Family, and Pastor Matthew C. Harrison, President of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, presented the sixth Village Lutheran Lecture on Christianity and Culture at Village Lutheran Church of Ladue on April 30. Under the theme "Beyond the Voting Booth," they encouraged Christians to remain faithfully engaged in the political sphere. In addition to more than 200 in attendance, hundreds more viewed the live-stream of the lecture on the Synod's Facebook page. The archived footage on the Facebook page has been viewed by more than 10,000. A video of the entire lecture will be available by the end of May at villagelectures.com.   She Doesn't Know How To Pray! Submitted by Jennifer Freudenburg Project Manager for the Concordia Center for the Family Photo: Alyssa Peterson, Age 4 and her mother Kristyn  When I was in grade school, I can remember when one of my friends, Martha, had a sleep over at my house. We were whispering in my bedroom late at night and I said to her in our conversation, "I just don't know how to pray." We talked for a while about this and then went on to another topic (probably boys or cheerleading). A few days later during the discussion in religion class, Martha raised her hand and said "Jennifer said she doesn't know how to pray!" I could have died. I wanted to hide under my desk and the tears were threatening to overflow. How dare she share a deep dark secret of mine with my peers?  Read more . . .   127 homeless individuals served between July 1, 2014 and June 30, 2015 89 children placed in housing 40 children under the age of 5 100% of school-age children being served graduated to next grade level This is the work of Humanitri, a Recognized Service Organization of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, in St. Louis. Learn more about our work and how you can be involved at humanitri.com.   Announcements/Other News Encourage and Equip (E2) Conferences The Missouri District will be offering five conferences this fall to support our congregations and lay leaders. The purpose of the conferences will be to encourage, equip and connect volunteers in our congregations through presentations, partnerships and networking. The topics will cover everything from youth ministry and Sunday School to finances and elders. More details will be forthcoming! For now, mark your calendars and plan to attend a conference near you. Saturday, September 17 Saxony Lutheran High School in Jackson Saturday, September 24 Immanuel Lutheran Church in Wentzille Saturday, October 1 Alive in Christ Lutheran Church in Columbia Saturday, October 8 Timothy Lutheran Church in Blue Springs (North Campus) Saturday, November 12 Faith Lutheran Church in Springfield Elder's Training Conference The Elder's Training Conference is this weekend at Heit's Point, May 13-14. The retreat with the theme "Pastors & Elders as Partners" is designed to strengthen the bond between pastors and elders through Bible study, presentations and discussions. The retreat will also focus heavily on "Healthy Servants." Pastors and elders will leave with practical applications for their work together. Weekend Facilitators are:     President Lee Hagan    Rev. Gene Wyssmann,                                                         Missouri District Assistant                                                         to the President Family Life & Youth,                                                         Congregational Health 2016 Heartland DCE Conference DCEs and other parish professionals who are interested in enhancing the intentionality and effectiveness of Christian education in the church are invited to attend the 2016 Heartland DCE Conference at Concordia University, Nebraska from May 19-21. Keynote speakers include Dr. Thom Rainer, Thom and Joani Schultz and Dr. Phil Schwadel. Registration is $100. Go to www.cune.edu/heartlandDCE for more information. LCMS Young Adult ministry is hosting a servant event in St. Louis June 2-5, 2016. The event begins with registration and dinner on Thursday evening at St. Trinity Lutheran Church and concludes at 1 p.m. Sunday. Young adults will work with Extreme Faith/St. Trinity and the Christian Friends of New Americans, and participants will clean, assist with facility improvement and help the organizations prepare for their respective summer ministries. The cost is $60 per person, which includes food, a T-shirt and housing at St. Trinity. CLICK HERE for more information. 2016 LWML Missouri District Convention Dates: June 3-5, 2016 Location: Osage Center, Cape Girardeau, Missouri Theme: God's Love Spans the Centuries, based on Matthew 28:20b "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." CLICK HERE for more information. Lutheran Singles Association For Single Adults: A weekend of food, fellowship, & fun! Lutherans Singles Association is holding their biennial Conference at Bethel Lutheran Church, in Morton, IL on June 24-26. The keynote speaker is Author and Speaker Chad Bird. Cost is $90 for the entire conference (includes, snacks Friday, lunch Saturday, dinner/theatre Saturday evening and program costs, does not include sleeping rooms). Daily rates are Friday $20, Saturday day $40, Saturday evening $30.00. Dinner Saturday is at the Pizza Ranch Buffet and Theatre is Corn Stock Theater, Peoria, IL where we will see a live performance of Cheaper by the Dozen. Come and meet single adults from all over the country. Flyer can be downloaded at our Facebook page, or email: president@lsalcms.org. District and Church Events            ( Elder's Training Conference and  National Youth Gathering)  Installations and Ordinations Personnel Changes and Calling Congregations LCMS Missouri District News              Obituaries

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660 Mason Ridge Center Drive #100, St. Louis, MO, 63141

Choir and Sermon from Ascension/Mother's Day

 Enjoy and share!
 
https://youtu.be/f2PLwVzQLpw

Daily Email: Thursday, May 12, 2016

DEVOTION:  John 14:23-31     English Standard Version (ESV)
²³ Jesus answered him, "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. ²⁴ Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me.
²⁵ "These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. ²⁶ But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. ²⁷ Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. ²⁸ You heard me say to you, 'I am going away, and I will come to you.' If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. ²⁹ And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe. ³⁰ I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me, ³¹ but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here.
 
What does it mean to "keep my words" as Jesus says in this passage?  What are His "words"?  How do we keep them? 
 
Well, first of all, Jesus says earlier in this book and it is repeated over and over again in John's epistles, "Love one another."  "Forgive each other."  These are His commands and His Words.  Love, Forgive, repeat.  When you do these things you are truly his disciples.  All of the Ten Commandments are summed up in the one word LOVE.  The first three express our love for God.  The second seven express our love for others.  LOVE is the summary of the commandments. 
 
The greatest expression of love works itself out in forgiveness.  You can't love without forgiving, because the other person isn't going to always act perfectly toward you.  The closer you are to a person the more chance there is that the person is going to hurt you. 
 
How do we keep them?  We keep them through the power of the Holy Spirit.  When we live by the Spirit we are doing the works of  the Lord.  When we aren't living by the Spirit we aren't doing His will.  It's as simple and as complicated as that.  Read Romans chapter 7 if you want to learn more about the struggle between the body and the soul/Spirit.  Our bodies, as long as there is breath in them on this earth will struggle with sin.  Our minds, being part of our bodies, will struggle as well.  We don't want it to, but it does.  And so we wait with eager expectation for our bodies and minds to be free of the sin that so easily entangles us. 
 
In the meantime, by virtue of our baptisms and our faith in Christ, the Holy Spirit lives in us.  He gives us faith.  He gives us power.  He gives us strength and the ability to love and forgive. 
 
In all of this, in the keeping of His Word through faith, we know that we are saved.  When it comes down to it, if you can say Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you are saved!  Have peace and joy in that alone today!
 
Prayer: Lord, thank you for giving us Your Spirit so that we may have faith, and keep Your Word.  Amen.
 
__________________________________________________________________________________________
CALENDAR:
Thurs-  Lutheranism 101 is postponed for the next two Thursdays.  It will resume on May 26 at 7pm (Come to the high school for the high school band concert at 7pm instead!)
Sat-  Worship 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30; Kid's Sunday school 9:45; Voter's Meeting 9:45; Worship 11
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
WORSHIP WORKERS:  
Acolyte- 8:30- John Pezold    11- Jacob Winn

Ushers- Charlie Figura, Jason Figura, Brett Nordwald, Erv Yoder

Altar-  Set up- Don Hance; Clean Up- Sandy Robine

Elders-  Sat- Randy Fischer;  8:30- Dave Winter;  11- Jim Rahn
 
Greeters-  8:30- Allan and Barb Dreyer;  11- Marv and Molly Hendershot

Lay Readers- Sat- Judy Koprowski   8:30- Jennifer Figura; 11- Stephanie Owenby

Organist- Rachel Fisher 
 
Piano- Kathy Barrow

Projectionists:  Sat- Kathy Fischer; 8:30- Dawn Sherman   11- Hannah Johnson
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: What is Zion?  (I'll leave it up again since no one answered it yesterday.)

 

(From Pat King who always has wonderful answers!!)

 

So you want 'short,' cupcake? Okay, how about this?

 

According to Psalm 87: 2-3, it is the city of God. In the Old Testament, it usually referred to Jerusalem. It was originally a fortress in the Jebusite city. (2 Sam. 5-7). When Solomon built the temple, Zion denoted it and its courts. It also referred to Mount Zion.

But in the New, it refers to God's spiritual kingdom.

For those of you with inquiring minds, here's a nice article about it: http://www.gotquestions.org/Zion.html

 

And for once, I was serious. Must be the cold I picked up.

_________________________________________________________________

TODAY'S QUIZ:  Who was Adonijah?

 ___________________________________________________________________

NEWS!!!! 

 

VOTERS' MEETING THIS SUNDAY AT 9:45!!

All chairs of boards and committees should have reports ready to present at the meeting. 

Our one item to vote on in the agenda is to move Kelsey Overbeck's salary out of the temporary three year campaign and into the regular budget. 

___________________________________________________________________________________

OUR NEXT GUN GLUB MEETING WILL BE TUESDAY, MAY 17 at 7pm!!.  IT WILL BE A "GET ACQUAINTED WITH ALL SORTS AND TYPES OF GUNS" EVENING. 

Paul Brockfeld and Jason Cluver will bring a wide variety of guns (shotguns, rifles, and handguns) for us to look at and learn how to operate.  We will all get to handle the guns.  No shooting. 

 

This will be a great opportunity check out all sorts of guns so you can be more confident and sure of your ability and knowledge, and even learn which one would best fit you!

 

_______________________________________________________________________________

SOCIAL SECURITY:  READY OR NOT WORKSHOP IS ON THURSDAY, MAY 19 at 6:30pm! 

Come learn how a little planning could help you avoid making a mistake.  You may save thousands over the rest of your life.  Our government has made Social Security a moving target.  Know how the new rules may affect you.  The workshop will be sponsored by the Senior Services Resources Group!  Drinks and Sandwiches will follow!  Please call Marilyn at 456-2888 to reserve your seat.   

_____________________________________________________________________________

TRIBUTE TO VETERANS MEMORIAL PAVER PROJECT IS UNDERWAY

Place your order online at www.tributetoveteransmemorial.org  or get an application from the office.

_____________________________________________________________________________

CHURCH PICTORIAL DIRECTORY PHOTOS STILL NEEDED

Some members who were unable to attend a photo session during our scheduled times have asked to use their picture from the 2013 directory.  LifeTouch has advised that there would be a $10 charge for that service.  If you are interested please notify the church office as soon as possible and arrange for payment. 

 

Also, if you didn't purchase other photos with the company you still have a complimentary photo waiting for you on the counter in the narthex. 

___________________________________________________________________________________________

PASTOR KLAUSTERMEIER IS BIKING 1,000 MILES THIS SUMMER FOR LEADACHILD!!!

We have been blessed beyond measure in the United States haven't we?  I want you to join me in making a global difference by releasing children from poverty through Christian education.

 

Instead of taking a week off and joining my fellow Lead a Child bikers who are riding the Fault Line across four states this year,  I have decided to go solo and bike 1,000 miles locally and while on vacation by August 1 to raise funds for LeadaChild. Would you sponsor me so that I can raise funds to support this most worthy organization?  In my opinion, there is no more worthy organization to support than LeadaChild!

 

LeadaChild  provides educational assistance to over 26,000 children and shares the love of Jesus Christ with the students and their families! LeadaChild supports the poorest of the poor children through Christian education in the following countries:

Guatemala                    Chad                       Honduras               Palestine               Haiti             Uganda

Gambia                          Ivory Coast            El Salvador            Nigeria                   Panama       Nicaragua

Burma                            Ghana                     Chile                       Venezuela             Bolivia         Mexico

Liberia                            Uruguay                Sri Lanka                India                       Guinea        Sierra Leone   

Bangladesh                   Cambodia              South Africa         Togo                       Thailand

 These students need your help to find a way out of poverty through Christian education and learn of the hope of Christ our Savior.

 

Please fill out your information below and send it with your check or donate online through the LeadaChild website: http://www.leadachild.org/bike

 

Every dollar makes a difference. Please give generously.  Please remember all of the riders in your prayers!  Thank you much for your support!

 

Biking For Kids Together,

Pastor Jeremy Klaustermeier

 

LeadaChild  is a 501 C-3 non-profit organization and is a Recognized Service Organization of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

HELP LITTLE LAMBS GET SOME NEW PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT!!!

Order some Avon "Skin So Soft"  from Little Lambs to help them raise money for new playground equipment!  Call Karin at 314-691-7283 to place your order!

_____________________________________________________________________________

OPERATION BACKPACK FOR MAY IS CANNED FRUIT!!!

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 PRAYER

For MARIANNE LINKE who is back home and recovering from her fall.   

 

For CHERYL, a cousin of Tony and Sandra Perricone, who is going through breast cancer treatment right now. 

 

For FRIENDS AND FAMILY OF WILMA JUNKER, as they mourn her loss.  She passed away last Friday after contracting pneumonia after hip surgery.

 

For BETH a daughter of a friend of the Fosters, who was in a very severe bicycle accident  and has broken ribs, and punctured lung and a broken shoulder.

 

For DON BRAZEE who is at home and receiving in home care  (They are calling it hospice care although he is in relatively good health, and is not in imminent danger of dying any time soon.  They just have no cure for the problems he is having.)

 

For CAROL BRAZEE who is struggling with severe bronchitis and is seeing a pulmonologist today.

 

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

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Daily Email: Wednesday, May 11, 2016

DEVOTION: Acts 2:1-11       English Standard Version (ESV)
 
"The Coming of the Holy Spirit"

2 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. ² And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. ³ And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested^[a] on each one of them. ⁴ And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

⁵ Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. ⁶ And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. ⁷ And they were amazed and astonished, saying, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? ⁸ And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? ⁹ Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, ¹⁰ Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, ¹¹ both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God." 
 
When the disciples  were baptized, they were baptized by John the Baptist.  He didn't baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not been revealed yet.  They were baptized with a "baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins."  So they still had to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  
 
That's what happened at Pentecost.  The flames of fire on the head of each of them was a reference to the Old Testament when the Israelites knew that God was present by a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire at night.  The speaking in other languages was a reference to the tower of Babel and a sort of reversing of that decision by the Holy Spirit. 
 
as a baptized child off God in the name of the Father, Son, and HOLY SPIRIT, you don't need what happened at Pentecost.  By virtue of the presence of faith in your life and the ability you have to forgive sins and share the good news of the Gospel, you know that the Holy Spirit lives in you.  You don't need to speak in other languages, because the majority of people that live around you speak English.  The flames of fire wouldn't make any sense to the modern human who never had the pillar of fire to show God's presence. 
 
All you need is faith, pure, real, life giving, Jesus believing faith!  Rejoice in your faith today!  The Holy Spirit lives in you!
 
Prayer: Lord, thank you for living in me, for giving me faith, and for giving me the power to share the Gospel and the authority to forgive sins.  Amen.
 
__________________________________________________________________________________________
CALENDAR:
Wed- Little Lambs 4 Graduation 6pm; Choir practice 7pm 
Thurs-  Lutheranism 101 is postponed for the next two Thursdays.  It will resume on May 26 at 7pm 
Sat-  Worship 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30; Kid's Sunday school 9:45; Voter's Meeting 9:45; Worship 11
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
WORSHIP WORKERS:  
Acolyte- 8:30- John Pezold    11- Jacob Winn

Ushers- Charlie Figura, Jason Figura, Brett Nordwald, Erv Yoder

Altar-  Set up- Don Hance; Clean Up- Sandy Robine

Elders-  Sat- Randy Fischer;  8:30- Dave Winter;  11- Jim Rahn
 
Greeters-  8:30- Allan and Barb Dreyer;  11- Marv and Molly Hendershot

Lay Readers- Sat- Judy Koprowski   8:30- Jennifer Figura; 11- Stephanie Owenby

Organist- Rachel Fisher 
 
Piano- Kathy Barrow

Projectionists:  Sat- Kathy Fischer; 8:30- Dawn Sherman   11- Hannah Johnson
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: What is Zion?  (I'll leave it up again since no one answered it yesterday.)

_________________________________________________________________

 

NEWS!!!! 

 

VOTERS' MEETING THIS SUNDAY AT 9:45!!

All chairs of boards and committees should have reports ready to present at the meeting. 

Our one item to vote on in the agenda is to move Kelsey Overbeck's salary out of the temporary three year campaign and into the regular budget. 

___________________________________________________________________________________

OUR NEXT GUN GLUB MEETING WILL BE TUESDAY, MAY 17 at 7pm!!.  IT WILL BE A "GET ACQUAINTED WITH ALL SORTS AND TYPES OF GUNS" EVENING. 

Paul Brockfeld and Jason Cluver will bring a wide variety of guns (shotguns, rifles, and handguns) for us to look at and learn how to operate.  We will all get to handle the guns.  No shooting. 

 

This will be a great opportunity check out all sorts of guns so you can be more confident and sure of your ability and knowledge, and even learn which one would best fit you!

 

_______________________________________________________________________________

SOCIAL SECURITY:  READY OR NOT WORKSHOP IS ON THURSDAY, MAY 19 at 6:30pm! 

Come learn how a little planning could help you avoid making a mistake.  You may save thousands over the rest of your life.  Our government has made Social Security a moving target.  Know how the new rules may affect you.  The workshop will be sponsored by the Senior Services Resources Group!  Drinks and Sandwiches will follow!  Please call Marilyn at 456-2888 to reserve your seat.   

_____________________________________________________________________________

TRIBUTE TO VETERANS MEMORIAL PAVER PROJECT IS UNDERWAY

Place your order online at www.tributetoveteransmemorial.org  or get an application from the office.

_____________________________________________________________________________

CHURCH PICTORIAL DIRECTORY PHOTOS STILL NEEDED

Some members who were unable to attend a photo session during our scheduled times have asked to use their picture from the 2013 directory.  LifeTouch has advised that there would be a $10 charge for that service.  If you are interested please notify the church office as soon as possible and arrange for payment. 

 

Also, if you didn't purchase other photos with the company you still have a complimentary photo waiting for you on the counter in the narthex. 

___________________________________________________________________________________________

PASTOR KLAUSTERMEIER IS BIKING 1,000 MILES THIS SUMMER FOR LEADACHILD!!!

We have been blessed beyond measure in the United States haven't we?  I want you to join me in making a global difference by releasing children from poverty through Christian education.

 

Instead of taking a week off and joining my fellow Lead a Child bikers who are riding the Fault Line across four states this year,  I have decided to go solo and bike 1,000 miles locally and while on vacation by August 1 to raise funds for LeadaChild. Would you sponsor me so that I can raise funds to support this most worthy organization?  In my opinion, there is no more worthy organization to support than LeadaChild!

 

LeadaChild  provides educational assistance to over 26,000 children and shares the love of Jesus Christ with the students and their families! LeadaChild supports the poorest of the poor children through Christian education in the following countries:

Guatemala                    Chad                       Honduras               Palestine               Haiti             Uganda

Gambia                          Ivory Coast            El Salvador            Nigeria                   Panama       Nicaragua

Burma                            Ghana                     Chile                       Venezuela             Bolivia         Mexico

Liberia                            Uruguay                Sri Lanka                India                       Guinea        Sierra Leone   

Bangladesh                   Cambodia              South Africa         Togo                       Thailand

 These students need your help to find a way out of poverty through Christian education and learn of the hope of Christ our Savior.

 

Please fill out your information below and send it with your check or donate online through the LeadaChild website: http://www.leadachild.org/bike

 

Every dollar makes a difference. Please give generously.  Please remember all of the riders in your prayers!  Thank you much for your support!

 

Biking For Kids Together,

Pastor Jeremy Klaustermeier

 

LeadaChild  is a 501 C-3 non-profit organization and is a Recognized Service Organization of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________

HELP LITTLE LAMBS GET SOME NEW PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT!!!

Order some Avon "Skin So Soft"  from Little Lambs to help them raise money for new playground equipment!  Call Karin at 314-691-7283 to place your order!

_____________________________________________________________________________

OPERATION BACKPACK FOR MAY IS CANNED FRUIT!!!

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 PRAYER

For MARIANNE LINKE as she fell again yesterday and is hospitalized at St Joe's in St. Charles.  She is doing well, is alert and has no effects from the fall, but she keeps falling because of weakness and unsteadiness so she is going to be in the hospital to regain strength.  Pray for BOB too as he is dealing with some heart problems. 

 

For CHERYL, a cousin of Tony and Sandra Perricone, who is going through breast cancer treatment right now. 

 

For FRIENDS AND FAMILY OF WILMA JUNKER, as they mourn her loss.  She passed away last Friday after contracting pneumonia after hip surgery.

 

For BETH a daughter of a friend of the Fosters, who was in a very severe bicycle accident  and has broken ribs, and punctured lung and a broken shoulder.

 

For DON BRAZEE who is at home and receiving in home care  (They are calling it hospice care although he is in relatively good health, and is not in imminent danger of dying any time soon.  They just have no cure for the problems he is having.)

 

For CAROL BRAZEE who is struggling with severe bronchitis and is seeing a pulmonologist today.

 

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

Daily Email: Tuesday, May 10, 2016

DEVOTION:  Genesis 11:1-9 (ESV)
 
"The Tower of Babel"

11 Now the whole earth had one language and the same words. ² And as people migrated from the east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. ³ And they said to one another, "Come, let us make bricks, and burn them thoroughly." And they had brick for stone, and bitumen for mortar. ⁴ Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth." ⁵ And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of man had built. ⁶ And the Lord said, "Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language, and this is only the beginning of what they will do. And nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them. ⁷ Come, let us go down and there confuse their language, so that they may not understand one another's speech." ⁸ So the Lord dispersed them from there over the face of all the earth, and they left off building the city. ⁹ Therefore its name was called Babel, because there the Lord confused^[a] the language of all the earth. And from there the Lord dispersed them over the face of all the earth.

 
Doesn't God seem vindictive and mean in this passage?  He does if you don't understand what is really going on here. 
 
1. This is after the fall of Adam and Eve, and part of their curse was that they weren't perfect anymore and couldn't do whatever they wanted.  They had lost their free will. 
 
2. They're plan was to reach all the way up to God.  They thought they could reach God, but God is not someone or something to be attained or reached.  God only reaches down to us. 

 

3. They wanted to "make a name for ourselves".  Their purpose for building this city and its tower was to make themselves out to be most important.  There was no regard for God.  They had lost all knowledge of God and were only thinking of themselves. 

 

God isn't being vindictive.  He isn't just messing with the people.  This is all part of the fall.  It is all part of what it means to be sinful human beings living in a sinful world. 

 

There will come a day when the confusion of languages will cease.  We had a glimpse of it at Pentecost when the Holy Spirit gave the disciples the power to proclaim the Gospel in all of the languages that were present, fifteen different languages in all. 

 

As we wait for that day to come, let us pray to God the Holy Spirit to remove whatever obstacles are in our way to proclaiming the Gospel, and when he removes those obstacles that we are ready, willing, and able to proclaim the Gospel as we are able. 

 

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for that day of Pentecost when you gave the disciples the ability to proclaim the good news in the languages of the world!  Give us the abilities we need to proclaim he good news to the people around us.  Amen.
 
__________________________________________________________________________________________
CALENDAR:
Tues- Little Lambs 3 Graduation 6pm; Trustees Meeting 7pm
Wed- Little Lambs 4 Graduation 6pm; Choir practice 7pm 
Thurs-  Lutheranism 101 is postponed for the next two Thursdays.  It will resume on May 26 at 7pm 
Sat-  Worship 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30; Kid's Sunday school 9:45; Voter's Meeting 9:45; Worship 11
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WORSHIP WORKERS:  
Acolyte- 8:30- John Pezold    11- Jacob Winn

Ushers- Charlie Figura, Jason Figura, Brett Nordwald, Erv Yoder

Altar-  Set up- Don Hance; Clean Up- Sandy Robine

Elders-  Sat- Randy Fischer;  8:30- Dave Winter;  11- Jim Rahn
 
Greeters-  8:30- Allan and Barb Dreyer;  11- Marv and Molly Hendershot

Lay Readers- Sat- Judy Koprowski   8:30- Jennifer Figura; 11- Stephanie Owenby

Organist- Rachel Fisher 
 
Piano- Kathy Barrow

Projectionists:  Sat- Kathy Fischer; 8:30- Dawn Sherman   11- Hannah Johnson
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:    What words in Psalm 2 are about Jesus?

(Another good and funny (but too long) answer from Pat King. hehe)

 

Really?!!! I can not believe you are going there.

So, okay. If we can all agree that the "Word" is Jesus – and we all should, since it's true – and that the Bible IS the "Word" of God – His story, so to speak – then logically we can safely say that ALL – and I will repeat it for those of you who have fallen asleep – All of Psalm 2 is about Jesus. Just as ALL ot the Bible is. Not just part, but ALL!

But, of course, that is not the answer you want, because it never is. Soooooo....

1)  "The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD and against his Anointed One"(NIV, Ps 2:2).

2)   "I will proclaim the decree of the LORD: He said to me,' You are my Son; today I have become your Father'" (Ps 2:7).

3)   "You will rule them with an iron scepter; you will dash them to pieces like pottery" (Ps 2:9). John refers to this passage in Revelations, when describing Jesus, and how he will rule His kingdom. For further explanation of these 3 samples, you should read the following article:

http://www.theologythoughts.com/psalm-2-is-david-talking-about-himself-or-jesus

 

These 2 are just interesting to read. So read them! I don't find this stuff for you guys, because I have nothing better to do. I could be cleaning my house right now. Well, I wouldn't be – 'cause I hate, hate, hate housework – but you get the idea.

http://jesusplusnothing.com/studies/online/psalm2.htm

http://www.jesus.org/is-jesus-god/old-testament-prophecies/is-psalm-2-really-about-jesus.html

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TODAY'S QUIZ: What is Zion?

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NEWS!!!! 

 

VOTERS' MEETING THIS SUNDAY AT 9:45!!

All chairs of boards and committees should have reports ready to present at the meeting. 

Our one item to vote on in the agenda is to move Kelsey Overbeck's salary out of the temporary three year campaign and into the regular budget. 

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OUR NEXT GUN GLUB MEETING WILL BE TUESDAY, MAY 17 at 7pm!!.  IT WILL BE A "GET ACQUAINTED WITH ALL SORTS AND TYPES OF GUNS" EVENING. 

Paul Brockfeld and Jason Cluver will bring a wide variety of guns (shotguns, rifles, and handguns) for us to look at and learn how to operate.  We will all get to handle the guns.  No shooting. 

 

This will be a great opportunity check out all sorts of guns so you can be more confident and sure of your ability and knowledge, and even learn which one would best fit you!

 

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SOCIAL SECURITY:  READY OR NOT WORKSHOP IS ON THURSDAY, MAY 19 at 6:30pm! 

Come learn how a little planning could help you avoid making a mistake.  You may save thousands over the rest of your life.  Our government has made Social Security a moving target.  Know how the new rules may affect you.  The workshop will be sponsored by the Senior Services Resources Group!  Drinks and Sandwiches will follow!  Please call Marilyn at 456-2888 to reserve your seat.   

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TRIBUTE TO VETERANS MEMORIAL PAVER PROJECT IS UNDERWAY

Place your order online at www.tributetoveteransmemorial.org  or get an application from the office.

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CHURCH PICTORIAL DIRECTORY PHOTOS STILL NEEDED

Some members who were unable to attend a photo session during our scheduled times have asked to use their picture from the 2013 directory.  LifeTouch has advised that there would be a $10 charge for that service.  If you are interested please notify the church office as soon as possible and arrange for payment. 

 

Also, if you didn't purchase other photos with the company you still have a complimentary photo waiting for you on the counter in the narthex. 

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PASTOR KLAUSTERMEIER IS BIKING 1,000 MILES THIS SUMMER FOR LEADACHILD!!!

We have been blessed beyond measure in the United States haven't we?  I want you to join me in making a global difference by releasing children from poverty through Christian education.

 

Instead of taking a week off and joining my fellow Lead a Child bikers who are riding the Fault Line across four states this year,  I have decided to go solo and bike 1,000 miles locally and while on vacation by August 1 to raise funds for LeadaChild. Would you sponsor me so that I can raise funds to support this most worthy organization?  In my opinion, there is no more worthy organization to support than LeadaChild!

 

LeadaChild  provides educational assistance to over 26,000 children and shares the love of Jesus Christ with the students and their families! LeadaChild supports the poorest of the poor children through Christian education in the following countries:

Guatemala                    Chad                       Honduras               Palestine               Haiti             Uganda

Gambia                          Ivory Coast            El Salvador            Nigeria                   Panama       Nicaragua

Burma                            Ghana                     Chile                       Venezuela             Bolivia         Mexico

Liberia                            Uruguay                Sri Lanka                India                       Guinea        Sierra Leone   

Bangladesh                   Cambodia              South Africa         Togo                       Thailand

 These students need your help to find a way out of poverty through Christian education and learn of the hope of Christ our Savior.

 

Please fill out your information below and send it with your check or donate online through the LeadaChild website: http://www.leadachild.org/bike

 

Every dollar makes a difference. Please give generously.  Please remember all of the riders in your prayers!  Thank you much for your support!

 

Biking For Kids Together,

Pastor Jeremy Klaustermeier

 

LeadaChild  is a 501 C-3 non-profit organization and is a Recognized Service Organization of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.

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HELP LITTLE LAMBS GET SOME NEW PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT!!!

Order some Avon "Skin So Soft"  from Little Lambs to help them raise money for new playground equipment!  Call Karin at 314-691-7283 to place your order!

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OPERATION BACKPACK FOR MAY IS CANNED FRUIT!!!

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.

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GENERAL PRAYER

For CHERYL, a cousin of Tony and Sandra Perricone, who is going through breast cancer treatment right now. 

 

For FRIENDS AND FAMILY OF WILMA JUNKER, as they mourn her loss.  She passed away last Friday after contracting pneumonia after hip surgery.

 

For BETH a daughter of a friend of the Fosters, who was in a very severe bicycle accident  and has broken ribs, and punctured lung and a broken shoulder.

 

For DON BRAZEE who is at home and receiving in home care  (They are calling it hospice care although he is in relatively good health, and is not in imminent danger of dying any time soon.  They just have no cure for the problems he is having.)

 

For CAROL BRAZEE who is struggling with severe bronchitis and is seeing a pulmonologist today.

 

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