Daily Email: Thursday, January 5, 2017

DEVOTION: Matthew 3:13-17English Standard Version (ESV)

The Baptism of Jesus

¹³Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. ¹⁴John would have prevented him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" ¹⁵But Jesus answered him, "Let it be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he consented. ¹⁶And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him,^[a] and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; ¹⁷and behold, a voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son,^[b] with whom I am well pleased."

I could go a million different directions with this passage, but I only want to explain very quickly what this historical and real baptism means for you and me.

When Jesus was baptized he ushered in baptism for all of humanity. He gave it greater significance. He gave it power, so that when I person gets baptized with the Trinitarian baptism (In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), it baptizes us not just into their names but into them. We take them on! They enter us, live in us, guide us, and make us holy! As Paul says, "It is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me."

So the next time you are questioning your salvation and your freedom in Christ, ask yourself two things: Do I believe in Christ death and resurrection for me? And….. Am I baptized? If you can answer yes to these questions you are most certainly saved! Live in peace! Live in His grace! Go and sin no more!!

(Note: If you're reading this and you're not baptized, please call, message or come to see me! I would be more than happy to talk to you about it, and get it done!)

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the gift of baptism which washes my sins away and fills me with you. Help me to remember it every day so I can live in spiritual peace every day. Amen.

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CALENDAR

Thurs- Alzheimers support group 1pm; Lutheranism 101 6:30-7:30pm; Karate 5:15-7:30

Sat- Worship 5pm
Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school and Adult Bible class 9:45; Take down decorations noon

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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS COMING WEEKEND:
Acolyte- 8:30- Dawn Sherman; 11- Luke Rausch

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

Altar- Set up- Marilyn Foster; Clean Up- Wanda Turnure

Elders- Sat- Steve Robine; 8:30- Jason CLuver; 11- Randy Sweet

Greeters- 8:30- Dave and Linda Callies; 11- Randy and Patty Sweet

Lay Readers- Sat- Steve Robine; 8:30- Derek Ebert; 11- Randy Sweet

Piano- Barb Dreyer

Organist- Rachel Fisher

Projectionists: Sat- Kathy Fischer; 8:30- Schaumberg; 11- Klaustermeier
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:

Who was older Cain or Abel? Cain

(Or, if you prefer, here is a much longer and funnier answer than that from Pat…. So, their eldest son was......Are you ready for this?

Cain! And the reason they named him Cain is because after he was born, they both shouted, "I cain do it!"

And the reason they named their second son Abel, was because – you guessed it! – they both shouted, "I's still abel!" And that's the truth! BTW, neither one of them could spell worth a lick, because they skipped school.)

Thanks also to Don Nolte and Sandy Robine for their sufficient answers!

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TODAY'S QUIZ: What lie did Abram tell the Egyptians to keep them from killing him to take Sarai from him?

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NEWS!!!!

ALZHEIMERS SUPPORT GROUP MEETS THE FIRST THURSDAY OF EVERY MONTH AT 1PM!!

This support group is for family members and caregivers of people with Alzheimers. Call Marilyn at 456-2888 for more info or just come tomorrow (Thursday) to check it out!

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LUTHERANISM 101 RESUMES TONIGHT AT 6:30pm!!!

This is for everyone whether you are a lifelong Lutheran, have only been one for a very short time, or are looking to become one! Did you make a resolution to learn more about God and your faith this year? This is a perfect time and place to do it! Come and join us!! It is a good time of conversation and getting to know your brothers and sisters in Christ too!

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INSTALLATION OF BOARD MEMBERS AND OFFICERS THIS WEEKEND AT ALL SERVICES!!

If you have been elected as a board member or officer or are returning for another year, you will come forward after the offering to be installed. This is a time for the congregation to recognize you and pray for you and is the official beginning to your term of leadership! Plan on being there!

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CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS ARE BEING TAKEN DOWN THIS SUNDAY AT NOON!!

Please make plans to help! It is fun and mostly painless!

6^th-12th GRADE YOUTH MEETING THIS COMING MONDAY, JANUARY 9 AT 6:30PM!!

All 6^th-12^th graders and their parents are required to attend! A lot of decisions need to be made and future events planned. BE THERE!!

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TRAVELING FELLOWSHIP GROUP IS LOOKING FOR YOUR SUGGESTIONS FOR THE NEXT TRIP

There is a sheet on the table in the narthex for you to make your suggestions or you can just call Marilyn at 456-2888 and she would be happy to take down your suggestions.

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HOPE FULL LIVING SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE DUE

Pastor Klaustermeier is a regular contributor to this devotional book for seniors. Call Marilyn 456-2888 to get or renew your subscription. It's only $7 for a year subscription!

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OFFERING ENVELOPES ARE IN YOUR CHURCH MAILBOXES IF YOU HAVEN'T PICKED THEM UP YET!!

Maybe you didn't know that you had them, but if you are a confirmed member of St. John's you have your own church mailbox and your own offering envelopes! Check your mailbox today!!

BLUE ENVELOPES IN YOUR OFFERING ENVELOPE BOXES ARE FOR THE BUILDING FUND!!!

Please note that your blue envelopes are for our BUILDING FUND. Please use them appropriately! Let's get this building built!!

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OPERATION BACKPACK ITEMS COLLECTED FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY IS CANNED FRUIT AND VEGETABLES!

Any size can, and any kind of fruit or vegetable is appreciated. Place them in the receptacle marked "Backpack Blessings" in the narthex.

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AGAPE DONATIONS ALWAYS ACCEPTED!!

Any nonperishable food items, diapers, toiletries, etc.!!

Perishable food items can be taken directly to Agape at 713 Powell St. in Warrenton. Call 456-4645 to find out when they're open or for more info.

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YOUR KROGER CARD CAN EARN MONEY FOR LITTLE LAMBS

Go to www.kroger.com/communityawards and register your card today!!

__________________________________________________________________________________________GENERAL PRAYER

For JOYCE PIETZSCHKE as she recovers from a broken hip and hip surgery.

For DON NOLTE as he recovers from rotator cuff surgery to his shoulder.

For MIKE PUCKETT who is recovering from extensive lung surgery at Warrenton Manor.

For BARB PERRICONE who is back home on hospice care.

For LOIS BOEGER'S MOM, who has been on hospice care for the last few months and slows down a little more every day, but is doing well.

Sermon video from New Years day

In case you missed it or someone else needs to watch it, here it is!

https://youtu.be/qVdpQMTOvJ4

Sent from Mail for Windows 10

Poinsettias left

There are several poinsettias left on the altar from Christmas. If you still want yours let me know asap, otherwise they will be thrown away.

Also, if you have not paid for yours yet, make sure you do so with a check marked "poinsettia" made out to St. John's and either put it in the offering plate or bring it to the office.

Sent from Mail for Windows 10

Daily Email: Wednesday, January 4, 2017

Romans 6:1-11English Standard Version (ESV)

Dead to Sin, Alive to God

6 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? ²By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?³Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? ⁴We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

⁵For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. ⁶We know that our old self^[a] was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.⁷For one who has died has been set free^[b] from sin. ⁸Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. ⁹We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. ¹⁰For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. ¹¹So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

For a long time, Lutherans have been criticized for preaching what many call "cheap" grace. They would say that because we preach strictly about being saved by grace through faith on account of what Chris5t did on the cross, and that we de-emphasize works, that somehow we are saying that it is ok to live how we want and do whatever we want.

Evidently this isn't a new criticism. Paul had the same thing leveled against him. So, in order to defend himself and the Gospel itself, he says what he says in the verses above.

Here's the deal folks. When we were baptized God wiped our slate clean. He took our sin away. This probably makes more sense to the person who came to faith later on in life than it does to the person who was baptized as an infant, because the person who came to faith and was baptized later on in life knows more of the earthly consequences of sin and of what it feels like to live apart from the grace of God. At the same time, if we are truly in Christ it will make sense to us too.

When one is a true Christian he feels the real weight of the guilt of sin. He has seen how the sin in his heart and life has destroyed himself and those around him. He sees that sin only leads to death and destruction. So the very act of coming to faith and the very acts of confession and repentance are the turning away from those evil things.

So Paul asks the very simple question: if we have turned away from those things and know their ability to steal or joy, to kill, and to destroy lives why would we want to go back to those things?

The new year is the perfect time to make a fresh start, to break away from those things that cause you trouble and pain, and to turn to Jesus and ask for his help daily to do the right thing. I urge you to take full advantage of this new year and that you make a fresh start, not just once this year, but daily. Turn from those bad habits and those things that are tearing you away from the grace, mercy, and peace of God and turn to the God of peace; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who will make all things new in you. Rest in His grace and "walk in newness of life"!

Prayer: Holy Spirit, by your power turn me away from the sin that so easily entangles and entraps me and turn me to you so that I may "walk in newness of life" daily with You. Amen.

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CALENDAR

Wed- Choir 7pm

Thurs- Alzheimers support group 1pm; Lutheranism 101 6:30-7:30pm; Karate 5:15-7:30

Sat- Worship 5pm
Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school and Adult Bible class 9:45; Take down decorations noon

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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS COMING WEEKEND:
Acolyte- 8:30- Dawn Sherman; 11- Luke Rausch

Organist- Rachel Fisher

Projectionists: Sat- Kathy Fischer; 8:30- Schaumberg; 11- Klaustermeier
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: How many letters did Peter write?

(According to Don Nolte and Pat King)

Probably more than two, but we only have record of two of them, 1 and 2 Peter.

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TODAY'S QUIZ: Who was older Cain or Abel?

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NEWS!!!!

ALZHEIMERS SUPPORT GROUP MEETS THE FIRST THURSDAY OF EVERY MONTH AT 1PM!!

This support group is for family members and caregivers of people with Alzheimers. Call Marilyn at 456-2888 for more info or just come tomorrow (Thursday) to check it out!

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LUTHERANISM 101 RESUMES THIS THURSDAY AT 6:30pm!!!