2 Corinthians 3:12-18 English Standard Version (ESV)
12 Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, 13 not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. 14 But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. 15 Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. 16 But when one[a] turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17 Now the Lord[b] is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord,[c] are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.[d] For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. 4:1 Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God,[a] we do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice[b] cunning or to tamper with God's word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants[c] for Jesus' sake. 6 For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
This passage gives me comfort, especially as a pastor, because I truly understand that it is only the Holy Spirit, working through the Gospel, that gives real, true, and lasting growth. My only jobs are to preach and teach God's Word, administer the Sacraments, and lead people to Christ. After that I need to shut up and get out of the way.
Those who are obstinate, those who reject the Gospel, and those who have problems with God and all that he stands for, are the same ones who, when Moses came down the mountain with a glowing face, asked him to put a veil over it, because they couldn't stand to look at it. It was too much for tem and they didn't want to behold God. They wanted a god who they could mold and shape and use for their own benefit. They wanted a god who would fit into them and not the other way around.
"But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed." There are so many people that I know that simply need to do this. Maybe you are one of them. Do you need a God whose glory is veiled or are you ready to take the veil off and see God for who he really is, your majestic Lord and Savior, your creator and redeemer, your boss, your master? Are you ready to turn and fall at the feet of God? I pray that you are and that you will continue to be so that God can show you his real, full glory, give you his forgiveness, and grow you in his grace! So that you can really experience that peace that passes all understanding, so that you can get rid of that guilt you've been hanging on to, so that you can get rid of that bitterness and anger that you have against that certain person, so that you can move forward in faith and peace instead of looking back to the broken past.
Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! Live and love in that truth! Amen!
Prayer: Lord, may that peace, that only you can give and that passes all understanding, flow from you to us so that your glory may shine to us, in us, and through us. Amen.
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CALENDAR:
Wed- Board of Outreach 5; Stephen Ministry 6; Choir 7
Thurs- Basement reserved 11:30; Karate 6:15-7:30; Confirmation make up 5-6:15
Sat- worship 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school and adult Bible class 9:45; Elder's meeting noon
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WORSHIP WORKERS:
Acolyte- 8:30- Abby Vossen; 11- Cierra Figura
Ushers- Sat- Marv Hendershot; Sun- Don Turnure, Don Nolte, Brent Davis, Larry Schulze; 11- Gary Scott
Altar- set up- Cheri Hofeldt; Clean Up- Sandy Robine
Communion assistant- Sat- Roy Bohning; 8:30- Don Turnure, 11- Al Benton
Greeters- 8:30- Tom and Pam Linke; 11- Mike and Naomi Johnson
Projectionists- Sat- Perricone; 8:30- Yoder; 11- Dulci Rahn
Lay Readers- Sat- Roy Bohning; 8:30- John Hachtel 11- Cierra Figura???
Organist- Pat Golden
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TODAY'S QUIZ: Who were the Kohathites?
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NEWS:
BABY BOTTLE FUNDRAISER UPDATE FOR THE PREGNANCY OPTIONS CENTER!
So far we've raised $727.36 through our baby bottle campaign with quite a few bottles still out there. If you took a bottle home with you, make sure you bring it back this week or weekend full of cash, coins, or checks!! Let's support keeping babies alive in Warren County!!
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LAST SUNDAY'S WORSHIP VIDEO
Watch and Share!
Still working on the sound troubles for mobile phones and some tablets. If anyone has a solution or knows someone who might, please have them contact me.) You can watch it on most computers and laptops just fine.
https://youtu.be/dPDFP35atl4
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YOUTH GROUP STEAK DINNER AND AUCTION IS SATURDAY, MARCH 10!!
Tickets will go on sale at church this weekend after services.
AUCTION ITEMS ARE NEEEDED!!
If you have any good items that they youth could use for the auction, please bring them by church any time we're open! If you leave something when pastor isn't here, please put a note on it to tell us that it is from you.
CHILI COOK-OFF AND BOARD GAMES ON SATURDAY, FEB. 17 @ 6PM!!
Do you think you have THE BEST chili recipe known to man? Do you like to compete? Then sign up for our chili cook-off and come and join us for a fun evening with your friends at St. John's!! Invite your friends! We'll start right after our Saturday worship!!
ALL PARENTS WILL BE RECEIVING A LETTER IN THE MAIL THIS WEEK!!
If you have any kids between the ages of 0-18 who are members of St. John's, I want you at a luncheon and meeting on Sunday, Feb 25 at noon to discuss the future of your kid's faith life and your involvement in it. The meeting will not take more than an hour, but will hopefully make a lasting impact on how you see your role in your child's faith life, what you can do to help it, and how the church and pastor can help you help your child. Let's grow our youth into the great Christian adults god intended them to be!
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NEWSLETTERS WILL NO LONGER BE MAILED!!!
This past week was the last week you'll receive your newsletter in the mail unless you are shut-in, in the military or live far away from home for some reason. You'll have to come to church to get it!
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RETIREMENT SEMINARS AVAILABLE. WHO IS INTERESTED?
Denny Hagan from eldercare associates would like to know how many people would be interested in attending one or more of the following seminars if he were to come out to St. John's to do them.
- Identity theft. With tax season coming, this is a serious concern to not only seniors, but to everybody that has a Social Security Number. As a matter of fact, the most profitable Information on the net, is for children. It takes much longer to catch the issue, due to lack of use of the children's numbers.
- Changes in how Medicare Part B, is billed to Seniors, It is more important than ever that one takes the time to plan their retirement. Medicare part B is billed based on one's income, and to make it even more confusing, it is based on your income of 2 years ago. Now, before we start scaring anybody, If they are already receiving benefits, this new rule, will not apply. All of these rules, are changes in Social Security.
- Understanding Social Security: how to get all that is coming to you and making the most of it.
If anyone is interested in any of these, please let me know, and if we get enough people interested, we will get Denny to come out and do a presentation.
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A NEW SUPPORT GROUP FOR SOLDIERS HAS FORMED CALLED "WARRIORS' JOURNEY HOME"
It is a nonsectarian, nonpolitical group that will be meeting the second Sunday of the month at 2pm at Bridgeway Behavioral Health 1206 E. Veteran's memorial Parkway in Warrenton. Rev. Dr. Gary Ellul (retired from the Army, a licensed counselor, and pastor at St. Paul's In Jonesburg) will be leading the group. You can call his office if you are interested or know someone who is. Phone number is 636-224-1411. Pamphlets are on the counter in the narthex if you would like more information.
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OFFERING ENVELOPES ARE ON THE SHELVES UNDERNEATH THE CHURCH MAILBOXES IN THE NARTHEX IF YOU HAVEN'T PICKED THEM UP YET!
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OUR LAST DIRECTORY (Last updated in August of 2016) has a lot of outdated phone numbers. If your number has changed, please call the office 456-2888 and let Terry know!
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DUE TO SOME TROUBLES WITH OUR CHURCH EMAIL ADDRESS WE HAVE HAD TO GET A NEW ONE
Our new email address is sjwarrlutheran@gmail.com. Please change it in your address books!!
Pastor's email, revklaus@hotmail.com will remain the same.
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LITTLE LAMBS IS STILL SELLING CANDY BARS AND COULD USE YOUR HELP!
If you'd like to help sell a box or two of candy bars as a fundraiser for Little Lambs preschool. Let Terry or one of the preschool ladies know. They'll hook you up right quick!
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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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OPERATION BACKPACK DONATIONS FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY IS CANNED VEGETABLES.
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PRAYERS:
For LIL WINTER as she deals with heart troubles.
For PAUL TOEDEBUSCH as he continues to recover from a broken leg and severely sprained ankle. He has to wear a boot for 4 more weeks, but can walk on it and use a cane to get around.
For GEORGE HOESCHER, GINA BOHNING (Roy Bohning's wife), BUCK HAMPTON, and DENISE HOOKER (Betty Tameler's daughter) as they continue to deal with cancer.
PRAYERS FOR OUR MILITARY PERSONNEL:
For COLTON FIGURA deployed to Turkey, SAM HARGROVE deployed in Kuwait 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, 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.
