DEVOTION: Luke 12:22-40 (ESV)
"Do Not Be Anxious"
22 And he said to his disciples, "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! 25 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?[a] 26 If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin,[b] yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29 And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. 30 For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, seek his[c] kingdom, and these things will be added to you.
32 "Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
"You Must Be Ready"
35 "Stay dressed for action[d] and keep your lamps burning, 36 and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. 37 Blessed are those servants[e] whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. 38 If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants! 39 But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he[f] would not have left his house to be broken into. 40 You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."
I know quite a few people who have severe anxiety disorder. It is a disease of the brain that causes panic attacks, depression, and a myriad other troubles. It is an uncontrollable defect in the brain caused by chemical imbalances. It usually isn't rooted in any particular circumstance. In other words, circumstances can be fine and there be no imminent danger or anything wrong, but the person with anxiety disorder, because of their chemical imbalances, sees things differently.
There is no "calming down". There is no "just pray more". There is no "just stop it", take a deep breath, etc. when it comes to anxiety. Believe me, I've learned the hard way by trying to "counsel" people who have it.
The "worry" that Jesus is talking about in the passage above is not the same as those who have anxiety disorder. The worry Jesus is talking about is, in essence, sin against the first commandment as a person puts more emphasis on and relies more on the gifts instead of the giver. It is the same thing as when we hear him say "The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil."
In this one sin there are two extremes. There are those who have it good. They're comfortable. They're full. They have all they need, and so they begin to be dependent upon the stuff as they use it for their comfort, satisfaction, and safety. On the other hand there are those who are lacking, the poor, and those who are going without. In them we find those who are constantly searching and looking for more wealth. You'll find them stealing. You'll find them at the convenience store buy hundreds of dollars worth of lottery tickets. You'll find them searching for comfort, satisfaction, and safety everywhere but where it truly may be found.
You don't have to have anxiety disorder to "worry" about your life. I know a lot of people who are completely mentally stable and yet commit this sin every day. I must confess that I am one of them.
Jesus is calling us to repentance with his message today. He wants us to quit relying on the "economy" and start relying on him for our peace, satisfaction, security, safety, and comfort. Let's repent of our anxiousness because of our want, and rest in God's eternal mercy and grace!
Prayer: Lord, I confess that I have been anxious about my life, what I will eat, wear and do. Help me to rest my weary and heavy burdened mind and heart in you. Amen.
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CALENDAR
Thurs- Alzheimers support group 1pm; Red Cross Blood Drive 3-7; L 101 7pm
Sat- Worship 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; Worship 11; Preschool reserved noon; Fellowship Hall floor stripped and waxed noon
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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS COMING WEEKEND:
"Do Not Be Anxious"
22 And he said to his disciples, "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds! 25 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?[a] 26 If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin,[b] yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 28 But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29 And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. 30 For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, seek his[c] kingdom, and these things will be added to you.
32 "Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions, and give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
"You Must Be Ready"
35 "Stay dressed for action[d] and keep your lamps burning, 36 and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. 37 Blessed are those servants[e] whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. 38 If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants! 39 But know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he[f] would not have left his house to be broken into. 40 You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect."
I know quite a few people who have severe anxiety disorder. It is a disease of the brain that causes panic attacks, depression, and a myriad other troubles. It is an uncontrollable defect in the brain caused by chemical imbalances. It usually isn't rooted in any particular circumstance. In other words, circumstances can be fine and there be no imminent danger or anything wrong, but the person with anxiety disorder, because of their chemical imbalances, sees things differently.
There is no "calming down". There is no "just pray more". There is no "just stop it", take a deep breath, etc. when it comes to anxiety. Believe me, I've learned the hard way by trying to "counsel" people who have it.
The "worry" that Jesus is talking about in the passage above is not the same as those who have anxiety disorder. The worry Jesus is talking about is, in essence, sin against the first commandment as a person puts more emphasis on and relies more on the gifts instead of the giver. It is the same thing as when we hear him say "The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil."
In this one sin there are two extremes. There are those who have it good. They're comfortable. They're full. They have all they need, and so they begin to be dependent upon the stuff as they use it for their comfort, satisfaction, and safety. On the other hand there are those who are lacking, the poor, and those who are going without. In them we find those who are constantly searching and looking for more wealth. You'll find them stealing. You'll find them at the convenience store buy hundreds of dollars worth of lottery tickets. You'll find them searching for comfort, satisfaction, and safety everywhere but where it truly may be found.
You don't have to have anxiety disorder to "worry" about your life. I know a lot of people who are completely mentally stable and yet commit this sin every day. I must confess that I am one of them.
Jesus is calling us to repentance with his message today. He wants us to quit relying on the "economy" and start relying on him for our peace, satisfaction, security, safety, and comfort. Let's repent of our anxiousness because of our want, and rest in God's eternal mercy and grace!
Prayer: Lord, I confess that I have been anxious about my life, what I will eat, wear and do. Help me to rest my weary and heavy burdened mind and heart in you. Amen.
__________________________________________________________________________________
CALENDAR
Thurs- Alzheimers support group 1pm; Red Cross Blood Drive 3-7; L 101 7pm
Sat- Worship 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; Worship 11; Preschool reserved noon; Fellowship Hall floor stripped and waxed noon
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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS COMING WEEKEND:
Acolyte- 8:30- Lydia Miller 11- George Pezold
Ushers- Dave Winter, Gary Scott, Larry Schulze, Scott Schulze
Altar- Set up- Dane and Jodi Baldwin; Clean Up- Pam Linke
Elders- Sat- Jason Cluver; 8:30- Randy Sweet; 11- Steve Robine
Greeters- 8:30- Rich and Peggy Talbert; 11- Steve and Sandy Robine
Lay Readers- Sat- Marcia Sevier 8:30- Rich Talbert; 11- Steve Robine
Piano- Sat- Kathy Barrow
Ushers- Dave Winter, Gary Scott, Larry Schulze, Scott Schulze
Altar- Set up- Dane and Jodi Baldwin; Clean Up- Pam Linke
Elders- Sat- Jason Cluver; 8:30- Randy Sweet; 11- Steve Robine
Greeters- 8:30- Rich and Peggy Talbert; 11- Steve and Sandy Robine
Lay Readers- Sat- Marcia Sevier 8:30- Rich Talbert; 11- Steve Robine
Piano- Sat- Kathy Barrow
Organist- Rachel Fisher
Projectionists: Sat- Perricone; 8:30- Yoder
Projectionists: Sat- Perricone; 8:30- Yoder
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: Who was Nabpolassar
Once again, an easy-peasy quiz. But first, we need to clear up some misconceptions many of you may have.
1) No, this is NOT a new model of Nissan. I used to drive a Pulsar by Nissan, and this is not their replacement model.
2) No, this is NOT a Pokemon thingamajig. I don't play Pokemon Go, but I assure you this is not one of their thingies. So don't run around town looking for this.
3) He – and he was a he – was NOT, nor is, a Klingon warlord. I know, there are Trekkies out there, who swear he is, but they are Romulan agents. For sure!
No, Nabbie – which is Chaldean for "Nabu, protect the son!" – was the 1st king of the Chaldean dynasty, the king of Babylon (626 –605 BC) and dad to Nebuchadnezzar II.
And there you have it!
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TODAY'S QUIZ: What is Caphtor's modern name?
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NEWS!!!! (Lots of new news so make sure you read it all the way through!!)
RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE TODAY!!!!! YOUR HELP IS NEEDED DESPERATELY!!
Call 456-2888 to donate blood or to volunteer to help!!
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THE LAST TWO WEEK'S SERMONS TO WATCH/LISTEN AND THEN SHARE WITH SOMEONE WHO NEEDS THE HOPE OF THE GOSPEL
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BACKPACK BLESSINGS THIS WEEKEND!!
Bring your kids, grandkids and backpacks to church this weekend so that the Lord can bless them and their school year!
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GUN CLUB OUTING COMING UP SATURDAY, AUGUST 13!!!
Our next Gun Club outing will be at Whetstone Creek Conservation Area Gun Range on Saturday, August 13, from 9am-Noon. You can either bring your own guns and ammo to shoot at the range or we will have a whole range set up for a special "fam fire" (armed forces code for familiarization fire) on a separate range for those who don't own a gun but would like to learn to shoot and learn about various types of firearms. Paul Brockfeld and others will have several different firearms and ammo to use for $20 per person. Please sign up on the sheet on the counter in the narthex so we know how many are coming and who is or is not bringing their own guns and ammo.
Directions to the range: DO NOT follow the signs to Whetstone Creek. If you follow the signs, you will not go to the firearms range. From Warrenton take I-70 to the Williamsburg exit. At the top of the ramp turn right and head north into Williamsburg. At the first stop sign go straight (Sign will tell you to turn left to go to Whetstone Creek CA - do not turn left). At the second stop sign go straight. Road will turn to gravel as you leave Williamsburg. Once road turns to gravel it is approximately 2.3 miles to the range on the right. Parking lot is before the range.
Directions to the range: DO NOT follow the signs to Whetstone Creek. If you follow the signs, you will not go to the firearms range. From Warrenton take I-70 to the Williamsburg exit. At the top of the ramp turn right and head north into Williamsburg. At the first stop sign go straight (Sign will tell you to turn left to go to Whetstone Creek CA - do not turn left). At the second stop sign go straight. Road will turn to gravel as you leave Williamsburg. Once road turns to gravel it is approximately 2.3 miles to the range on the right. Parking lot is before the range.
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ST. JOHN'S ANNUAL FLOAT TRIP COMING UP LABOR DAY, SEPTEMBER 5!!
Would you like a relaxing and peaceful day on the river in God's creation? Do you want to grow in fellowship with your brothers and sisters in Christ? Come and join us!
Here are the details:
1. Meet at 9:30am at Ozark Outdoors www.ozarkoutdoors.net
2. PRICES
canoes $20 per person
kayaks- $28 per person
rafts- $29 per person
tubes are $25 per person
If you have your own equipment it is $30 per craft to ride the bus.
Children ages 7-12 are $15 and 7 and under are free
3. What you will need:
sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, food, beverages, a good attitude.
4. Contact Teresa Scott to sign up
cell- 636-359-0274
work- (Schraer HVAC) 456-5041
Remember, this is a float, not a race. It is a leisurely float down the river with lots of stops along the way!
If you choose to spend the weekend, please make camping, motel, or cabin arrangements through Ozark Outdoors or with Onondaga State Park www.mostateparks.com. Hiking and cave tours are also available in Onondaga State Park.
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T-3 MEN'S RETREAT COMING UP SEPTEMBER 23-25 AT MARK TWAIN LAKE!
Go to www.t3mensretreat.org for details or give me a call at 636-359-1061.
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STEPHEN MINISTRY NEEDS MORE STEPHEN MINISTERS!!
Stephen ministry is a one on one caring ministry in which a person goes through 50 hours off training to be a better listener and care giver. Even if you don't become an active Stephen Minister, this training is beneficial just for your daily life!
Please consider going through the training! It is very beneficial.
And please consider becoming a Stephen Minister. It has been a huge help and benefit to our congregation for the last 13 years, and I would love to see it grow!
Call me at 636-359-1061 to let me know you're interested. Or go to www.stephenministry.org to learn more about it.
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SCRIP PROGRAM CONTINUES!!
Here's how it works:
Here's how it works:
1. Pick up an order form from the counter in the narthex or from Marilyn in the office.
2. Mark how many cards you would like to order from each retailer you use, and fill in the totals. (If you need help, stop by the office or talk to Marilyn or ask me after worship.)
3. Attach a check to your order form made out to St.John's.
4. Marilyn will place the order on a certain date each month.
5. Pick up your cards from your church mailbox.
6. Use your cards just like money at the various stores.
Please use this program! It is an easy way for you to help YOUR church raise money for its ministries!
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GENERAL PRAYER
For the TINNIN FAMILY at the loss of Dave's mom Sunday night. Visitation and funeral will be Saturday in Overland Park, Kansas.
For LENA OWENS as she has knee replacement surgery today.
For BOB RUHL, who is at Barnes Hospital recovering from sepsis due to a perforated bowel, and also recovering from a heart attack. He is on the mend.
For DON BRAZEE as he is in failing health and is now confined to a bed on hospice care.
For the HARGROVE FAMILY as they mourn the loss of Dave's dad Charles. (His memorial visitation and service will be Saturday, August 20, 1-3pm.
For LAW ENFORCEMENT EVERYWHERE, that we would keep the 4th commandment and honor those who serve and protect us from evildoers.
For BRIAN TAMPOW, a friend of Steve and Toni Mauch, who has an inoperable tumor near his carotid artery and will need to go through extensive chemo and radiation treatment.
For CHERYL, a cousin of Tony and Sandra Perricone, who is going through breast cancer treatment right now.
For DENISE SCHLESSELMANN as she begins her work as a teacher of English as a second language in the Czech Republic and transitions to regular life there.
