DEVOTION: Jeremiah 15:15-21English Standard Version (ESV)
15 O Lord, you know;
remember me and visit me,
and take vengeance for me on my persecutors.
In your forbearance take me not away;
know that for your sake I bear reproach.
16 Your words were found, and I ate them,
and your words became to me a joy
and the delight of my heart,
for I am called by your name,
O Lord, God of hosts.
17 I did not sit in the company of revelers,
nor did I rejoice;
I sat alone, because your hand was upon me,
for you had filled me with indignation.
18 Why is my pain unceasing,
my wound incurable,
refusing to be healed?
Will you be to me like a deceitful brook,
like waters that fail?
19 Therefore thus says the Lord:
"If you return, I will restore you,
and you shall stand before me.
If you utter what is precious, and not what is worthless,
you shall be as my mouth.
They shall turn to you,
but you shall not turn to them.
20 And I will make you to this people
a fortified wall of bronze;
they will fight against you,
but they shall not prevail over you,
for I am with you
to save you and deliver you,
declares the Lord.
21 I will deliver you out of the hand of the wicked,
and redeem you from the grasp of the ruthless."
If there was anyone who ever had a reason to complain to God, it was Jeremiah. You see, Jeremiah had been called by God to be a prophet to the Israelites. He was to tell them that they needed to turn from their wickedness and repent or God was going to take away their nation and hand them over to the Babylonians. He was to preach the law to them and tell them exactly what they were doing wrong.
You'd think that if God had called Jeremiah to do such a thing, he would make the people he was preaching to favorable to him, and that he would open their ears and hearts so they would listen. That didn't happen. Instead, they became very hostile toward him. They captured him, put him in prison, and tried to kill him. They tried to get rid of him. They treated this man of God like dirt.
So you can see why Jeremiah might be a little ticked off at God and want some answers. The truth was and is that these people weren't willing to listen to or hear God's Word from Jeremiah's mouth. Their hearts were hard and their ears were plugged. God was indeed speaking judgment to them and Jeremiah was his mouthpiece.
At the end of these verses, God doesn't give an answer as to why the people didn't listen, nor did he tell him he could stop. Instead, he told him that the people would fight and fight against him, but they would not prevail. He promised Jeremiah that he would save him from those that hated him because of his message, and that he would be safe with him.
The same is true today. There are many who don't like to hear God's law. They don't like to be told that what they are doing, thinking, and saying is wrong. So they cover their ears and shout at the top of their lungs to drown out the truth. They even begin to hate God's messengers who are only trying to speak the truth out of love.
Yet, god's messengers should not give up hope. Some will hear, repent, and be saved. Some will be reconciled to God and to those against whom they have sinned. Some will realize their sinful state, repent, and be healed. And when those who don't hear come up against the truth, they will not prevail. The Lord will win the day and save those who believe and trust in Him who is the Way, Truth, and Life!
Stand firm and hold on to the truth of God's Word with both hands. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight!
Prayer: Lord God, thank you for sending people into my life to proclaim truth to me. Help me to cling to the truth with both hands so that I may be on the winning side on the last day. Amen.
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CALENDAR:
Tues- Quilting 9-2
Wed- Stephen Ministry 6-7; Choir 7-8
Thurs- No karate; Lutheranism 101 6:30???
Sat- Worship 5pm
Sun Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45
Sat-
WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS WEEK:
Acolyte- 8:30- Cierra Figura; 11- Loren Howard
Ushers- Dick Petersen, Jim Huster, Bob Linke, Tom Linke
Altar- Set up- Dave and Linda Callies; Clean Up- Sandy Robine
Elders- Sat- Al Benton; Sun- 8:30- Jason Cluver; 11- Don Turnure
Greeters- 8:30- Erv Yoder; 11- Doug and Ruth Walters
Lay Reader- Sat- Sandra Perricone; 8:30- Lois Boeger, 11- Steve Robine
Organist- Barb Dreyer
Pianists- Sat- Barb Dreyer, 11am Molly Hendershot
Projectionist: Sat- Perricone; Sun, 8:30- Yoder 11- ???
TELLERS: Team #1
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ :
Who is the "righteous Branch" and the "The Lord Our Righteousness" that Jeremiah talks about in Jeremiah 23:5-6? JESUS (Thanks Don)
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TODAY'S QUIZ: What was the total number of people that Nebuchadnezzar carried into exile from Judah?
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NEWS!!!!
ALL MEMBERS OF ST. JOHN"S ARE INVITED TO KARIN KLAUSTERMEIER'S 50TH BIRTHDAY PARTY ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 6-10pm!!
PLEASE RSVP by replying to this email or texting/messaging me. 636-359-1061
It's not a surprise, because I'm no good at surprises and she always figures them out.
She would like everyone to make a donation to www.leadachild.org in lieu of gifts.
Since her favorite day of the year is April Fools Day, and she is legendary for her April Fools pranks, I would like everyone to play their favorite prank or practical joke on her that day. She will appreciate it greatly I am sure!
Besides that, there is no need to bring anything but yourself. All food and drinks will be provided.
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ADULT CHOIR REHEARSALS WILL RESUME THIS WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 30 AT 7PM!!!
All people high school age or older who love to sing and have fun are strongly encouraged to attend! Ability to read music is not necessary but is helpful.
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ANNUAL LABOR DAY FLOAT TRIP COMING NEXT MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 4!!!
Place: Ozark Outdoors
Time: Meet at 9am
Canoes- $25 per person
Kayaks- $30 per person
Rafts- $31 per person (Children 7 and under free, and 7-12 are $15)
Tubes- $25 per person
Rides on Ozark busses are still $30 if you have your own equipment.
Call Teresa Scott at 359-5041 or email her at tscott@usmo.com to sign up!
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WORK DAY, SATURDAY, SEPT 9, 8-Noon.
Several projects need to be done and the more helpers we have, the quicker they will get done.
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SUNDAY SCHOOL RALLY DAY, SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 AT 9:45!!!
If you or your kids have been away from Sunday school for a while and have been meaning to get back into the swing of things, Sunday, Sept. 10 is your perfect opportunity to do so!! All kids who show up will receive FREE devotional books and/or Bibles which are paid for from a trust set up by Janet Wagner before she went to heaven.
There will be games, donuts, and lots of JESUS!! Please bring your kids, grandkids, great grandkids, neighbor's kids and yourself!! We look forward to seeing you!
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LITTLE LAMBS GOLF OUTING, Sunday, Sept. 10
Registration- 12:30
Shotgun start- 1pm
Dinner and Prizes- 5pm
Cost- $60 per person
Two person scramble format
Hole Sponsorships available for $50 a piece (Think advertising)
Call Karin or Lisa at 456-2888 or pick up a registration form from the office!
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DO YOU HAVE A THRIVENT FINANCIAL ACCOUNT OR POLICY?
You may be eligible to receive money for Little Lambs or Good Shepherd!! Go to www.thrivent.com/choicedollars to check it out!
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HAVE YOU EVER CONSIDERED BECOMING A PASTOR OR DEACONNESS?
If so, Rev. Scott Holder, admissions counselor from Concordia Seminary, will be here on Thursday, September 14 from 1-6pm. He is interested in meeting with students of all ages, elementary school age through adults. Appointments are individual, informal, and family/friends are welcome to come with you. Appointments are not necessary but encouraged. If you are interested in scheduling a specific time, call Pastor Holder at 314-505-7225 or email him at holders@csl.edu
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MORE LAY READERS NEEDED!!
We are in need of some new lay readers!! If you would like to serve the Lord in this way, please respond to this email with your willingness and the service you would prefer to do it in. If you have questions, email or call/text me at 636-359-1061
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OUR NEXT FIFTH SUNDAY CELEBRATION WILL BE ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 29… REFORMATION SUNDAY!! TO CELEBRATE THE 500TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BEGINNING OF THE REFORMATION AND THE POSTING OF THE 95 THESES BY MARTIN LUTHER ON THE CASTLE CHURCH DOOR IN WITTENBERG, GERMANY!!
It is going to be a blowout celebration! Mark your calendars today to make sure you are there to enjoy the celebration!
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OPERATION BACKPACK ITEMS COLLECTED FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST IS SOUP AND RAMEN NOODLES. Please bring items up to church and put them in the tub marked "Backpack Blessings".
GENERAL PRAYERS
For those in Texas and Louisiana dealing with historic flooding and damage from hurricane Harvey.
For GEORGE HOELSCHER as he is home and doing better. He receives his second chemo treatment on Friday.
For CAL TAMELER who is HOME and is recovering from surgeries and a heart attack.
For LIL WINTER who is home, but is still awaiting test results and doctor's orders to get several procedures done.
For ANGIE BRUNSON, who is at home, but is still dealing with blood clots and an infection after a trouble from a hysterectomy.
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PRAYERS FOR OUR MILITARY PERSONNEL:
For SAM HARGROVE deployed in Amman, Jordan and DAN DREYER deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan, that the Lord would keep them safe from harm during their service and bring them home safely.
For DAVID TATE stationed in Japan, COLTON FIGURA stationed in California, and ALEX WALTERS, stationed in Tennessee. That God would bless their service to our country and keep them safe as they all await possible deployment.
For CALEB FIGURA AND VINCE MASTERS who are both serving our country in the National Guard and take time out of their lives, jobs, and families to go on duty several times a year.
