DEVOTION: Psalm 103:1-12 English Standard Version (ESV)
Bless the Lord, O My Soul
Of David.
103 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name!
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
3 who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
5 who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
6 The Lord works righteousness
and justice for all who are oppressed.
7 He made known his ways to Moses,
his acts to the people of Israel.
8 The Lord is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
9 He will not always chide,
nor will he keep his anger forever.
10 He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
In a world where everything seems to be falling apart, where trouble seems to be endlessly brewing, and where some are wondering if the end of the world is near, we need to be continuously reminded of the Lord's benefits and blessings. We need to remember that we are not alone, but that God is with us and he will never leave us or forsake us.
As we remember 9/11 as the day where it looked like evil had taken over, we also remember that the Lord Jesus defeated all of that evil on the cross. It may rear its ugly head from time to time, but that head has been crushed and is only wriggling and writhing for a short time longer.
As people come and go out of our lives and even in and out of the church, and we need to remember that God will never go away. He will stay by our side. Although the world forsake us, the Lord never will.
The Psalm above is one of which I have remembered countless times over the years. We can take so much comfort from this passage that it is one that we should memorize and call to mind every time things are looking so good. When your heart rate and blood pressure increases, when you wake up with that uneasy feeling and your mind is spinning with all that you need to do and all the troubles you are going to face in the day, take a step back and repeat this Psalm! Repeat it throughout your day! Let the devil know that he will not gain a foothold in your life, but that the Lord will fill you with his Spirit and the peace that comes with Him. Let the world know that you are a person of peace and forgiveness!
Prayer: Lord, thank you for reminding me that you love me, forgive me, and will always be with me. Amen.
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CALENDAR:
Mon- 7th grade confirmation starts tonight! 5-6:15pm
Tues- Quilting 9-2; No trustees or outreach meeting
Wed- Outreach meeting 5; Stephen Ministry 6; Choir 7
Thurs- Newsletter deadline; Pasto Holder from seminary here 1-6pm; Karate 6:15-7:45; Lutheranism 101 6:30
Sat- Men's breakfast 8am; Worship 5pm
Sun Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45
Sat-
WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS WEEK:
Acolyte- 8:30- Jared Cluver; 11- Cameron Faerber
Ushers- Allan Dreyer, Lew Feldkamp, Kent Jacobsmeyer, Paul Klover
Altar- Set up- Don Hance; Clean Up- Terry McKenzie
Elders- Sat- Roy Bohning; Sun- 8:30- Steve Robine; 11- Don Turnure
Greeters- 8:30- Dave and Linda Callies; 11- Marv and Molly Hendershot
Lay Reader- Sat- Roy Bohning; 8:30- John Hachtel, 11- Ben Hoelscher
Organist- Barb Dreyer
Sat Pianist- Kathy Barrow
Projectionist: Sat- Fischer; Sun, 8:30- McKenzie 11- ???
TELLERS: Team #3
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ : What did God do to Nebuchadnezzar so that he would acknowledge that the Lord alone is the Most High God? He had him dream a dream which Daniel interpreted for him when no one else could.
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TODAY'S QUIZ: Name one of Job's friends.
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NEWS
7th GRADE CONFIRMATION STARTS TONIGHT!!
Parents and students should be at church promptly at 5pm!! Bring a three ring folder with pockets and a writing utensil!
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HAVE YOU EVER CONSIDERED BECOMING A PASTOR OR DEACONNESS OR DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO IS?
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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SUNDAY SCHOOL RALLY DAY PART TWO THIS COMING SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 AT 9:45!!!
They didn't get to all the games and fun they wanted to do yesterday so the fun and festivities will continue this coming Sunday during Sunday school! Please come and join us and bring some friends!!
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DOOR OFFERINGS THE NEXT TWO WEEKENDS TO HELP THE VICTIMS OF HURRICANE HARVEY!
Lutheran Trust of St. Louis will match all offerings 100% up to $10,000 per congregation and $1,000,000 total through September 24.
If you bring a check, make it out to St. John's and in the mem write "Hurricane Relief". All offerings will go to LCMS Disaster Relief. This is the best way to help!
If, for some reason, you can't make it to church or would like to donate directly, go to www.lcms.org/harvey to donate and let us know that you did.
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NEW OUTREACH BOOKLET DISPLAY AT CHURCH
Our board of outreach and evangelism purchased a set of outreach booklets on all different topics of interest. They are for you to use for yourself, but also to take to friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors who may be dealing with the things covered in these booklets or may just have questions regarding to the faith. Please check it out and as it says, TAKE ONE…. OR TWO OR THREE!
LAY READERS STILL NEEDED ESPECIALLY FOR 11AM SERVICE!!!
If you are willing to be an integral part of worship and serve in this way, please reply to this email or call church at 456-2888! We need you!
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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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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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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 SEPTEMBER CANNED FRUIT. Please bring items up to church and put them in the tub marked "Backpack Blessings".
PRAYERS:
For the INFANT GRANDSON OF DANE AND JODI BALDWIN who was born twelve weeks premature. Right now he is getting some help with breathing, but all vitals and everything are good. He was born at 2 and a half pounds.
For THOSE IN THE CARIBBEAN, FLORIDA, AND THE EAST COAST who are dealing with hurricane Irma.
For THOSE IN TEXAS AND LOUISIANA who are 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.
