News and information from the Missouri District of the LCMS.
13 years ago
Fwd: The Voice of Missouri July 2018 E-Newsletter
August newsletter article
From the desk of Pastor Klaustermeier
Romans 12:3-8
3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. 4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
I have several memberships. I have a Sam's Club membership, a gym membership, and a AAA membership. With all of these I pay my dues and I get special privileges. With the Sam's Club I get to buy things in bulk and for cheaper prices. For my gym membership I get to work out in their building and use their equipment, and for the membership fee I pay to AAA every year I get roadside assistance and discounts at several places. These are memberships where I simply pay a yearly predetermined fee and I get services.
I have and have had other memberships that are much different. I was a member of a softball team this past Spring. I was a member of a concert band in high school and a choir while at the seminary. I am a member of my family. And most importantly, for this newsletter article at least, I am a member of St. John's Lutheran Church.
I am sure you can see the difference in the two types of membership, can't you? In the first type, you pay a due and get a service or a discount. In the other you are a contributor and participant. In one you are only responsible for a monetary payment. In the other you are responsible for your work, time, participation, energy and attitudes toward the group and within it.
Unfortunately many members of the church as well as members of the body of Christ as a whole, treat their membership as if it were a membership to Costco or AAA. Consequently they think their offering is payment for services, whatever those services may be, and when they don't get what they want out of church, they go somewhere else to find it or quit going all together.
Today I want to challenge you to take an honest look at your own view of your church membership and, and for that matter, your membership in the body of Christ as a whole. Are you disappointed in your church membership, because you aren't getting out of it what you expected? Are you angry at your church because they aren't doing what you want? When you speak of your church do you say "they" or "we"? What have you contributed to the body of Christ lately?
All of us need to repent of treating our church membership like Sam's Club. While membership does have its privileges it does have its responsibilities as well. We remember what President Kennedy said don't we? "Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country." In a world where everyone seems to be out for themselves and their own best interests, Christians and the Christian church needs to be different. We need to "look not only to our own interests but also to the interest of others." (Philippians 2:4) When thinking about worship attendance, we shouldn't just think about how it affects us, but how it affects our brothers and sister in Christ as well, especially when we are absent. When we are talking about our church, we should talk about it as if it were our family, because it is.
The benefits are huge! You get to worship with fellow saints every week. When you are hurting or suffering, you can count on the members of the church to help you, to comfort you, and to lift you up. If you are in need, whether it be spiritual or physical, the church has your back and will provide for you. You literally have brothers and sister in Christ, who will care for you sometimes better than your own blood relatives will.
You have a part in that too. The biggest successes and satisfactions you will have as a member of the church is through your participation in the body of Christ and the effort you put into it. You can be a caregiver instead of just a care receiver. You can participate in the experience of worship simply by your being there and acknowledging the people around you. You can know the joy and satisfaction of helping out those in need. You can see what it feels like when you bring someone to church who has no church home and they get baptized and become part of the church family.
The reality is that 99% of it all Is just showing up. Just like your mom is so happy with just your physical presence in her home, so the body of Christ is just as happy, if not more happy, with your physical presence, not just in worship, but in the fellowship and work of the church. A few weeks ago, I and four young ladies went down to Corpus Christi to help out with hurricane clean up and relief. Since we aren't skilled in much, we weren't able to do much work, but the folks down there were just thankful that we were willing to drive all the way down there and provide the help that we did. It was a rewarding trip just based on their thankfulness, but even more so, because we were able to participate in the body of Christ.
I encourage you to get reconnected to the church if you haven't been. If you are just a passive member, look at becoming active and finding a ministry or even starting one. Become a real church member! You won't be disappointed!
Sent from Mail for Windows 10
Daily Email: Wednesday, July 25, 2018
DEVOTION: Ephesians 3:14-21 English Standard Version (ESV)
Prayer for Spiritual Strength
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family[a] in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
https://www.facebook.com/jeremy.klaustermeier/videos/10155671095353803/
_____________________________________________________
CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK:
Wed- Oak Pointe worship 10: Disciple Makers postponed till further notice
Thurs- Constitution task force meeting 6:30
Sat- Basement reserved for Woodridge subdivision meeting
Sun- Adult Bible class 8:15; Worship 9:30; Care package assembly for shut-ins 10:45
______________________________________________________
WORSHIP WORKERS:
Acolyte- Jared Cluver
Ushers- Doug Walters, Dave Callies, Kevin Luebke, Dick Petersen
Altar- Set up- Terry McKenzie; Clean Up- Pam Linke
Communion assistant- Al Benton
Greeters- Dave and Linda Callies
Projectionist- Perricones
Lay Reader- Tim Linke
Organist- Barb Dreyer
________________________________________________________________
YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: What was Zephaniah's prophecy mostly about?
(I'll keep this up one more day.)
________________________________________________________________
NEWS:
SHUT-IN CARE PACKAGES BEING ASSEMBLED THIS WEEKEND AT 11! PLEASE BRING ITEMS AND HELP US!!!
Don't forget to bring your items from the list below for our shut-in care packages this weekend! For those of you that don't know who a shut-in is, it is someone who can't get out of their house or the nursing home by themselves and it is very difficult for them to go anywhere because of physical or sometimes mental limitations. Right now there are seventeen such members of our congregation, but more get put on the list on a regular basis. Please show them you love them by bringing some of these items to church this Sunday.
Word search and crossword puzzle books
Stationery and greeting cards (all kinds), and stamps for them to write to folks
Coloring books and colors
Tissues
Mints (tic tacs are especially good)
Handkerchiefs
Tea bags and flavored instant coffees
Cough drops
If there is anything else you think they might like, please bring it!
____________________________________________________________________________
BLOOD DRIVE ON AUGUST 2, 3-7pm
Please come and give blood. It's very easy to do and you could save up to seven lives! If you do you will get a $5 gift card from Amazon. Call the church office, the Red Cross at 800-733-2767, or go to redcrossblood.org to schedule.
_______________________________________________________________
MEN'S RETREAT AT MARK TWAIN STATE PARK, SEPTEMBER 28-30!!
Registration is $5 ($50 after 9/10. Golf tourney is $35. To go up a day early is an extra $15. Forms are on the counter in the narthex or go to t3mensretreat.org.
______________________________________________________________________
QUILTERS WOULD LIKE SOME COMPANY!!
Anyone who has some free time and likes to sew, or would like to learn is welcome to join them! Sometimes there's even a little baby time as grandkids come along! They are at church in the quilt room every Tuesday from 9-2!
_______________________________________________________________
YARD SIGNS FOR THE PREGNANCY OPTIONS CENTER
Would you like to have a sign in your yard promoting the pregnancy options center?
It simply says:
Pregnant?
Need Help?
Call 636-235-1477
Please sign the sign up sheet on the counter in the narthex or reply to this email and I will sign you up.
_________________________________________________________________________
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!
____________________________________________________________________________________
PRAYERS:
For JEAN STURGEON, Donna Heitgerd's daughter, as she recovers from ankle surgery.
For BETTY TAMELER recovering from knee replacement surgery.
For BUCK HAMPTON, AND MARY WILLIAMS who are all on hospice care.
For JEANNIE SIEBOLD, DENISE HOOKER (Betty Tameler's daughter), GEORGE HOESCHER, as they continue to deal with cancer.
PRAYERS FOR OUR MILITARY PERSONNEL:
For CONNER FIGURA going through tech training in the Air Force.
For both DAN DREYER and SAM HARGROVE as they adjust to civilian life and await their next assignments.
For COLTON FIGURA deployed to Turkey for five more months.
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.
Daily Email: Tuesday, July 24, 2018
DEVOTION: Genesis 9:8-17 English Standard Version (ESV)
8 Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him, 9 "Behold, I establish my covenant with you and your offspring after you, 10 and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the livestock, and every beast of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark; it is for every beast of the earth. 11 I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth." 12 And God said, "This is the sign of the covenant that I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for all future generations: 13 I have set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. 14 When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, 15 I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh. And the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh. 16 When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth." 17 God said to Noah, "This is the sign of the covenant that I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth."
Click on the link below. Enjoy. Share.
https://www.facebook.com/jeremy.klaustermeier/videos/10155668935203803/
_____________________________________________________
CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK:
Tues- Quilting 9-2
Wed- Oak Pointe worship 10: Disciple Makers postponed till further notice
Thurs- Constitution task force meeting 6:30
Sat- Basement reserved for Woodridge subdivision meeting
Sun- Adult Bible class 8:15; Worship 9:30; Care package assembly for shut-ins 10:45
______________________________________________________
WORSHIP WORKERS:
Acolyte- Jared Cluver
Ushers- Doug Walters, Dave Callies, Kevin Luebke, Dick Petersen
Altar- Set up- Terry McKenzie; Clean Up- Pam Linke
Communion assistant- Al Benton
Greeters- Dave and Linda Callies
Projectionist- Perricones
Lay Reader- Tim Linke
Organist- Barb Dreyer
________________________________________________________________
YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: How was Amon unlike his father, Manasseh?
Both were kings of Judah and both were Idol worshipers. Manasseh repented and was restored. Amon did not repent and was killed in a conspiracy.
_______________________________________________________________________
TODAY'S QUIZ: What was Zephaniah's prophecy mostly about?
________________________________________________________________
NEWS:
SHUT-IN CARE PACKAGES BEING ASSEMBLED THIS WEEKEND AT 11! PLEASE BRING ITEMS AND HELP US!!!
Don't forget to bring your items from the list below for our shut-in care packages this weekend! For those of you that don't know who a shut-in is, it is someone who can't get out of their house or the nursing home by themselves and it is very difficult for them to go anywhere because of physical or sometimes mental limitations. Right now there are seventeen such members of our congregation, but more get put on the list on a regular basis. Please show them you love them by bringing some of these items to church this Sunday.
Word search and crossword puzzle books
Stationery and greeting cards (all kinds), and stamps for them to write to folks
Coloring books and colors
Tissues
Mints (tic tacs are especially good)
Handkerchiefs
Tea bags and flavored instant coffees
Cough drops
If there is anything else you think they might like, please bring it!
____________________________________________________________________________
BLOOD DRIVE ON AUGUST 2, 3-7pm
Please come and give blood. It's very easy to do and you could save up to seven lives! If you do you will get a $5 gift card from Amazon. Call the church office, the Red Cross at 800-733-2767, or go to redcrossblood.org to schedule.
_______________________________________________________________
MEN'S RETREAT AT MARK TWAIN STATE PARK, SEPTEMBER 28-30!!
Registration is $5 ($50 after 9/10. Golf tourney is $35. To go up a day early is an extra $15. Forms are on the counter in the narthex or go to t3mensretreat.org.
______________________________________________________________________
QUILTERS WOULD LIKE SOME COMPANY!!
Anyone who has some free time and likes to sew, or would like to learn is welcome to join them! Sometimes there's even a little baby time as grandkids come along! They are at church in the quilt room every Tuesday from 9-2!
_______________________________________________________________
YARD SIGNS FOR THE PREGNANCY OPTIONS CENTER
Would you like to have a sign in your yard promoting the pregnancy options center?
It simply says:
Pregnant?
Need Help?
Call 636-235-1477
Please sign the sign up sheet on the counter in the narthex or reply to this email and I will sign you up.
_________________________________________________________________________
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!
____________________________________________________________________________________
PRAYERS:
For JEAN STURGEON, Donna Heitgerd's daughter, as she recovers from ankle surgery.
For BETTY TAMELER recovering from knee replacement surgery.
For BUCK HAMPTON, AND MARY WILLIAMS who are all on hospice care.
For JEANNIE SIEBOLD, DENISE HOOKER (Betty Tameler's daughter), GEORGE HOESCHER, as they continue to deal with cancer.
PRAYERS FOR OUR MILITARY PERSONNEL:
For CONNER FIGURA going through tech training in the Air Force.
For both DAN DREYER and SAM HARGROVE as they adjust to civilian life and await their next assignments.
For COLTON FIGURA deployed to Turkey for five more months.
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.
Daily Email: Monday, July 23, 2018
Psalm 136:1-9 English Standard Version (ESV)
His Steadfast Love Endures Forever
136 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
2 Give thanks to the God of gods,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
4 to him who alone does great wonders,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
5 to him who by understanding made the heavens,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
6 to him who spread out the earth above the waters,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
7 to him who made the great lights,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
8 the sun to rule over the day,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
9 the moon and stars to rule over the night,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
Whether you are on Facebook or not, you should be able to click on the link and watch it and then share it with others.
https://www.facebook.com/jeremy.klaustermeier/videos/10155666965618803/
_____________________________________________________
CALENDAR FOR THE WEEK:
Tues- Quilting 9-2
Wed- Oak Pointe worship 10: Disciple Makers postponed till further notice
Thurs- Constitution task force meeting 6:30
Sat- Basement reserved for Woodridge subdivision meeting
Sun- Adult Bible class 8:15; Worship 9:30; Care package assembly for shut-ins 10:45
______________________________________________________
WORSHIP WORKERS:
Acolyte- Jared Cluver
Ushers- Doug Walters, Dave Callies, Kevin Luebke, Dick Petersen
Altar- Set up- Terry McKenzie; Clean Up- Pam Linke
Communion assistant- Al Benton
Greeters- Dave and Linda Callies
Projectionist- Perricones
Lay Reader- Tim Linke
Organist- Barb Dreyer
________________________________________________________________
YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: Did Isaiah prophecy against Israel or Judah or both? BOTH
_________________________________________________________________
TODAY'S QUIZ: How was Amon unlike his father, Manasseh?
_______________________________________________________________________
NEWS:
DISCIPLE MAKERS IS POSTPONED TILL FURTHER NOTICE
Due to very low attendance through these Summer months, Disciple Makers is postponed until further notice. Look for more information to be coming out about some new plans for it soon.
________________________________________________________________________________
BLOOD DRIVE ON AUGUST 2, 3-7pm
Please come and give blood. It's very easy to do and you could save up to seven lives! If you do you will get a $5 gift card from Amazon. Call the church office, the Red Cross at 800-733-2767, or go to redcrossblood.org to schedule.
_______________________________________________________________
MEN'S RETREAT AT MARK TWAIN STATE PARK, SEPTEMBER 28-30!!
Registration is $5 ($50 after 9/10. Golf tourney is $35. To go up a day early is an extra $15. Forms are on the counter in the narthex or go to t3mensretreat.org.
______________________________________________________________________
QUILTERS WOULD LIKE SOME COMPANY!!
Anyone who has some free time and likes to sew, or would like to learn is welcome to join them! Sometimes there's even a little baby time as grandkids come along! They are at church in the quilt room every Tuesday from 9-2!
_______________________________________________________________
YARD SIGNS FOR THE PREGNANCY OPTIONS CENTER
Would you like to have a sign in your yard promoting the pregnancy options center?
It simply says:
Pregnant?
Need Help?
Call 636-235-1477
Please sign the sign up sheet on the counter in the narthex or reply to this email and I will sign you up.
_________________________________________________________________________
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!
____________________________________________________________________________________
PRAYERS:
For JEAN STURGEON, Donna Heitgerd's daughter, as she recovers from ankle surgery.
For BETTY TAMELER recovering from knee replacement surgery.
For BUCK HAMPTON, AND MARY WILLIAMS who are all on hospice care.
For JEANNIE SIEBOLD, DENISE HOOKER (Betty Tameler's daughter), GEORGE HOESCHER, as they continue to deal with cancer.
PRAYERS FOR OUR MILITARY PERSONNEL:
For CONNER FIGURA going through tech training in the Air Force.
For both DAN DREYER and SAM HARGROVE as they adjust to civilian life and await their next assignments.
For COLTON FIGURA deployed to Turkey for five more months.
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.
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