DEVOTION: 1 Timothy 6:6-19English Standard Version (ESV)
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and[a] we cannot take anything out of the world. 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
11 But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before[b] Pontius Pilate made the good confession, 14 to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.
17 As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.
Coveting is such a big deal that in the Lutheran version of the Ten Commandments there are two about it. It causes all sorts of strife within families, within individuals, and even within the church. We covet what another church has (more people, a better sound system, a praise band, a cooler youth group) and so we have to do everything we can to be like them. We covet the popularity of another person and so we dress like him, act like him, and even change our own physical appearance to look like him. We covet another's property so we work harder, sacrifice more, and even steal and do dishonest things to get what we want. We want to feel good, we covet comfort, and so we think that having sex with anyone and everyone and doing drugs will give us the feelings we desire.
All the while Godliness with contentment is the greatest gain you can have. There's nothing more peaceful than Godliness with contentment. There's nothing more peaceful that being in God's Word with enough food to eat and clothes on our back. Everything else can be crumbling around us, but if we have God, His Word, and His forgiveness we can be content with these things.
I love the tiny house movement. I love the minimalist movement. I love that the next generation isn't about things as much as my generation and the one before mine. But I also wish they would be content with God and with His grace a bit more, instead of always being about the latest experience or the newest form of entertainment or adventure.
My prayer for you, and for myself for that matter, is that we have more Godliness with contentment so that we may have great gain through the Holy Spirit.
Let us pray: Lord, make me content with what I have and if my stuff is getting in the way of my contentment, make me get rid of it. Amen.
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CALENDAR
Wed- Ladies Aid Noon; Choir 7; Karin Klaustermeier's birthday (Please wish her a happy birthday in some way today!)
Thurs- Karate 6-7:30; Lutheranism 101 6:30pm
Fri- Assemble newsletter 9am; Men leave for men's retreat
Sat- St John's booth at the Fall Festival downtown Noon-9pm; Worship 5pm
Sun- Worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; Chapel 11; Basement reserved all afternoon
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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS COMING WEEKEND:
Acolyte- 8:30- Addie Hoelscher 11- Savannah Masters
Ushers- Scott and Alex Heitgerd, Bob and Tom Linke
Altar- Set up- Jodi Baldwin; Clean Up- Lois Boeger
Elders- Sat- Roy Bohning; 8:30- Randy Sweet; 11- Jim Rahn
Greeters- 8:30- John and Joanne Hachtel; 11- Dave and Lil Winter
Lay Readers- Sat- Roy Bohning; 8:30- Jacob Nagel; 11- Jim Rahn
Piano- Sat- Molly Hendershot
Organist- Rachel Fisher
Projectionists: Sat- Kathy Fischer; 8:30- Schaumbergs
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: What were the four beasts that Daniel saw in his vision?
CALENDAR
Wed- Ladies Aid Noon; Choir 7; Karin Klaustermeier's birthday (Please wish her a happy birthday in some way today!)
Thurs- Karate 6-7:30; Lutheranism 101 6:30pm
Fri- Assemble newsletter 9am; Men leave for men's retreat
Sat- St John's booth at the Fall Festival downtown Noon-9pm; Worship 5pm
Sun- Worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; Chapel 11; Basement reserved all afternoon
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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS COMING WEEKEND:
Acolyte- 8:30- Addie Hoelscher 11- Savannah Masters
Ushers- Scott and Alex Heitgerd, Bob and Tom Linke
Altar- Set up- Jodi Baldwin; Clean Up- Lois Boeger
Elders- Sat- Roy Bohning; 8:30- Randy Sweet; 11- Jim Rahn
Greeters- 8:30- John and Joanne Hachtel; 11- Dave and Lil Winter
Lay Readers- Sat- Roy Bohning; 8:30- Jacob Nagel; 11- Jim Rahn
Piano- Sat- Molly Hendershot
Organist- Rachel Fisher
Projectionists: Sat- Kathy Fischer; 8:30- Schaumbergs
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: What were the four beasts that Daniel saw in his vision?
A lion with wings like an eagle
A bear that was raised up on one of it's sides (I don't know what this means)
A leopard who had four wings and four heads
An unidentified beast with iron teeth and ten horns. Whatever it didn't devour it trampled under foot.
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TODAY'S QUIZ: Who was the ffirst person that ever saw the "writing on the wall"?
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NEWS!!!!
HELP IS STILL NEEDED FOR ST. JOHN'S CONCESSION BOOTH AT THE FALL FESTIVAL THIS SATURDAY!!
1. We will be serving beer at the Fall Festival on Main Street that will be taking place September 24th from 12:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. We need volunteers to set up at around 9:30 and folks to serve from noon-9pm (If you can only do an hour or two that'd be great too.)
2. The Oktoberfest committee is still looking for some help on October 1st from 4:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. We need people to help with food, games, set up, and tear down.
If you can help with either of these call Kelsey at 573-803-7826 or reply to this email, and I will forward the info to her.
2. The Oktoberfest committee is still looking for some help on October 1st from 4:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. We need people to help with food, games, set up, and tear down.
If you can help with either of these call Kelsey at 573-803-7826 or reply to this email, and I will forward the info to her.
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MEN'S RETREAT IS THIS WEEKEND!
You can still go if you want to. Cost is $55! Call or text me at 636-359-1061 or reply to this email.
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OKTOBERFEST IS OCTOBER 1!!
Where? St. John's
What? a genuine Oktoberfest with real German food, bier, polka, games, bounce houses, and lots of fun!!
When? 4-10pm on October 1
What is needed? There are a lot of supplies and volunteers that are needed to make this happen! Call or text Kelsey @ 573-803-7826 to volunteer or to find out what is still needed.
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ANNUAL VENDOR FAIR IS SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 9am-2pm!
Vendors should reserve their table through the church office 456-2888. Tables rent for $25 and checks should be madde payable to St. John's Ladies Aid.
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DO YOU SHOP AT KROGER? IF YOU DO YOU CAN EARN MONEY FOR LITTLE LAMBS!!!
Little Lambs receives a percentage of your purchases when you register your Kroger Plus Card number at www.kroger.com/communityawards. Register today!
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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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GENERAL PRAYER
For BOB RUHL as he continues to struggle greatly to get better. He is still in New Florence Care Center.
For PAM BUELTMANN as she recovers from a broken hip at Cedar Crest Nursing and Rehab in Washington.
For JOYCE PIETZSCHKE as she is recovering from pneumonia and intestinal issues. She Is now in Parklane Rehab in Wentzville.
For PAUL TOEDEBUSCH who is recovering from a severe kidney infection at home.
For LOIS BOEGER'S MOM, who has been placed on hospice care due to cancer. She is at home.
For DENNIS PERREY, who is recovering at home from a very serious tractor and brush hog accident. He has 6 broken ribs, both lungs were punctured and, 2 vertebrae were cracked.
