DEVOTION: Luke 15:1-3 English Standard Version (ESV)
The Parable of the Lost Sheep
15 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them."
3 So he told them this parable:
11"There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.' And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living.14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to[a] one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.
17 "But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants."' 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'[b]22 But the father said to his servants,[c] 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to celebrate.
25 "Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.' 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, 29 but he answered his father, 'Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!' 31 And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'"
https://www.facebook.com/jeremy.klaustermeier/videos/10156171323033803/
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CALENDAR:
Wed- Supper 5:30; Worship 6:30; Choir 7:15
Fri- 7-8 graders to Camp Windermere
Sun- 5th Sunday worship 10am; Potluck 11:30
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WORSHIP WORKERS:
Wednesday 6:30-
Organist- Barb Dreyer
Acolyte- Haley Rausch
Ushers- Don Tunure, Dave Burmeister, Brent Davis, Larry Schulze
Sunday, 10am—
Organist- Barb Dreyer
Acolyte- Jared Cluver
Ushers- Doug Walters, Dave Callies, Kevin Luebke, Dick Peterson
Communion assistant- Roy Bohning
Lay reader- Lois Boeger
Projectionist- None
Altar Set Up- Cheri' Hofeldt
Tellers- Team #1
Altar Clean Up- Pam Linke
NO MONDAY WORSHIP THIS COMING WEEK
YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: Who were Eli's sons and what did detestable things did they often do? The sons are Hophni and Phinehas They kept the best of the offering for themselves and slept with the women who served at the gate of the tent of meeting of the temple. They also took the ark of the covenant into battle with the Philistines in which they were killed and the ark was taken from Israel.
TODAY'S QUIZ: Who was the first king of Israel?
NEWS:
The APRIL NEWSLETTER IS ATTACHED! PLEASE READ IT AND SHARE IT WITH THE REST OF YOUR FAMILY AND EVEN YOUR FRIENDS!
Hard copies are available on the counter in the narthex if you prefer paper, but you actually have to come to church to get one.
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LAST SUNDAY'S WORSHIP
THIS WEEKEND IS A 5TH SUNDAY WEEKEND!!!
That means that
- There is only one worship service on Sunday at 10am.
- There is a potluck afterwards. Everyone is welcome to come! Just bring a side dish, salad, or dessert to share!! Sloppy joes will be the main course!
- There will be Sunday school DURING THE WORSHIP SERVICE. There will be a time listed in the bulletin where Pastor Grund will dismiss the younger children to go with Ms. McDowell for a fun activity.
- There is no worship service on Monday night.
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A REMINDER OF OUR GOALS FOR 2019 IN CASE YOU FORGOT!!! Attendance in both worship and Bible class has been slipping a bit lately!!
A 10% increase in worship attendance.
A 5% increase in Bible study attendance
Add two new Bible study opportunities during the week
Add two new outreach events to reach out to the community.
If you are a member of St. John's and you think these goals are good ones, then I encourage you to do your part to make them a reality!!
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7th and 8th GRADERS GOING TO CAMP WINDERMERE THIS WEEKEND!!
Please pray for these 10 kids, Mrs. Figura, and pastor that we have safe travel, and that the kids grow together and grow in faith!
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OPERATION BACKPACK FOOD FOR MARCH IS INDIVIDUALLY WRAPPED SNACKS (granola bars, fruit snacks, Little Debbie Snack Cakes, Instant Oatmeal)
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CHECK YOUR MAILBOXES AND THE SHELVES BELOW THEM FOR YOUR OFFERING ENVELOPES!!!
Some of you haven't emptied your church mailboxes in a while. Others of you might not even know that you have a mailbox. If you are an adult member of St. John's you have a church mailbox! Your copy of the new constitution is in your mailbox and your 2019 offering envelopes are on the shelves underneath the mailboxes. Get your stuff!!!
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PRAYERS:
For BETTY SUTOR, Lisa Rausch's mom, as she is recovering from heart failure.
For NANCY PETERSON as she remains hospitalized. They found out she has a blood clot in her leg, but they can't do anything about it, because her blood levels are so messed up still. She will be undergoing more tests today to get a correct diagnosis.
For JIM HUSTER as he recovers from surgery to remove a kidney stone.
For those dealing with cancer and treatments HAROLD ANDERSON, JOHN MORRIS, father in law of Elise Morris; GEORGE HOELSCHER, MARILYN FOSTER, PASTOR RON LEHENBAUER, MARY BREUER, MARI GILB, both friends of Sandy Robine, Toni Mauch's brother RAY KOLN, and hundreds of others who are dealing with this dreaded disease. That God would provide healing and relief, but that God would also work through the pain and suffering to bring faith and in crease faith in those who need it. .
For DIANNE FELDKAMP'S SISTER, DONNA MAYES, who has been diagnosed with ALS, and her other sister, DEBBIE BURGER, who has been diagnosed with Grave's disease.
PRAYERS FOR OUR MILITARY PERSONNEL:
For COLTON FIGURA AND DANNY DREYER who are both home but remain on active duty in the military.
For CONNER FIGURA going through tech training for the Air Force. .
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
