St. John's Lutheran ChurchWarrenton, MO

St. John's Group Email Monday, January 23, 2012

DEVOTION:

Princes persecute me without cause, but my heart stands in awe of Your words. Psalms 119:161

North Korea, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Iran, the Maldives, Uzbekistan, Yemen, Iraq and Pakistan.

Can you tell me what these nations have in common?

According to Open Doors USA, these are, in order, the top ten countries where Christians are persecuted. You've heard the expression, "It's a nice place to visit, but you wouldn't want to live there?" Well, our brothers and sisters are not just trying to live in these countries, they actually do live there.

They live there and, fearing persecution, they practice an underground form of Christianity.

In most of these countries that means no church buildings on every corner; it means no Bible studies at the local coffee shop, no wearing a cross or crucifix, no Sunday school or parochial school. It means no Christian TV or radio (although radio can beam in from other countries.)

You get the idea?

All of this means the church in these places is dying. Right?

Actually, the answer is wrong. Rev. Carl Moeller, president of Open Doors USA, an organization which monitors persecution, says so many Muslims are converting to Christianity in nations like Iran that they may constitute a fourth major branch of the global church (along with Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox Christians.)

Can you believe it?

For these people to believe in Christ means they run the risk of losing friends, business, family and life. Still they believe.

Sort of reminds me of that hymn: "Take they our life, goods, fame, child and wife; let these all be gone; they yet have nothing won; the kingdom ours remaineth."

Won't you join with me in praying for these souls?

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, I give thanks for the power of the Holy Spirit. In spite of the barriers men have erected, in spite of the hatred unbelievers show, Your work continues on. Now may I do what I can to share the Savior with those who hate Him. This I pray in my Savior's Name. Amen.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: When Joseph first saw his brother Benjamin what did he do? He wept (Dolores Deblaze is our winner for today.)
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
TODAY'S QUIZ: What was the first plague that God brought upon Egypt?
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
CATECHISM:

10th commandment: You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.

Question: What coveting does God forbid in the tenth commandment?
Answer: God forbids every sinful desire to take from our neighbor that person's spouse or workers.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

CHURCH CALENDAR

Mon- confirmation 5pm; High school youth 6:30om

Tues- quilters 9-2; Bible study 11:30;12:15

Wed- bells 6:30; choir 7:30

Thurs- nothing

Fri- Assemble newsletter 9am

Sat- worship 5pm

Sun- Bible Study 8; worship 9; Bible Study and Sunday school 10:15; WORSHIP 11am

________________________________________________________________________________________________
NEWS:

BIBLE 101: A NEW ONLINE "INTRODUCTORY" BIBLE STUDY IS AVAILABLE FOR ALL MEMBERS OF ST JOHN'S!!!

What is it? Bible 101 is a new online product from Concordia Publishing House that increases Biblical literacy in adults.

It is for all levels of learning and knowledge. Even pastors learn things from this course.

Participants simply log into Bible 101 and enter an online learning environment. Members start out by learning essential Bible basics from "square one" and then build upon that as they progress through the course.

Here are som of the features of Bible 101

online- uses proven online educational strategies and models that facilitate retention among multiple learning styles.

videos- throughout the week, participants can access videos that relate to the lesson

discussion forum- participants are not left on their own as they are connected to a community where they can correspond, question, and encourage each other.

podcasts- daily devotional for each weekday

quizzes- test your knowledge and easily benchmakr where you are in your learning cycle.

printing- easily print the materials for even more easy access.

Please call or reply to this email to let me know that you want to sign up for this wonderful opportunity. I will sign you up! The congregation has already paid the annual fee so IT IS FREE for you!!!

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH MEETING EVERY MONDAY 6:30-7:15
We will be starting a short series called "Sports and Christianity, How they Mix and How they don't" . We will also be spending some time in prayer for each other, for our friends, and for our school. Please make plans on coming and bring friends!!
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DOT DAEHNKE'S MEMORIAL SERVICE WILL BE SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4 AT 11am, WITH LUNCHEON TO FOLLOW.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

YOUTH SERVANT EVENT THIS SUMMER!!!!!! 8-12 GRADERS AND ADULT LEADERS WILL BE GOING TO JOPLIN, JULY 9-14!!!

All who want to go need to sign up. Directions on how to sign up are as follows:

1. Go to lutheranchurchcharities.org

2. Click on "volunteer in Joplin"

3. Go to bottom of page and click on "click here to register individually"

4. Fill out all of the required info. (Your group's name is St John's Warrenton, MO)

5. Click submit at the end of the page.

Let me know if you want to go. ALL ADULTS ARE WELCOME!!!!

___________________________________________________________________________________

New worship service starting THIS Sunday, January 29 at 11am.

BELOW AREE SOME QUESTIONS THAT HAVE COME UP AND THE ANSWERS TO THOSE QUESTIONS:

1. Will we need to change the usher schedule? Not at this time. For now we are going to treat it as we would a Saturday service as far as that is concerned. If it takes off and we find that ushers are necessary for this service we will change it later in the year.

2. Will this change the other services in any way? NO. Nothing about our other services will change. The 11am service is just an additional option for those who want it.

3. What kind of music will there be? It will be a variety of songs, (children's songs, contemporary songs, familiar songs), but the music will be different than our traditional services

What we ask of you from now until January 29 is that you support this endeavor, that you invite people who would, for whatever reason, like to attend this type of worship, and that you pray for this endeavor and for our church in general that it would be blessed beyond measure in 2012.

If you have any skills or talents that you feel would benefit this service please contact me at 359-1061.

Then on January 29, COME to the service and participate.

The vision is that this will be a great blessing to our church and that it will fit the needs of young families, kids, teenagers, and the young at heart so that we can bring more people into the body of Christ this year than ever before.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PASTOR NOW HAS TEXTING ON HIS PHONE

I know it is about five years too late, but I have finally joined the 21st century's most used form of communication. If texting is the best way to communicate with you, I urge you to give me your cell phone number so I can communicate better with you in 2012. I am even thinking of sending out a "Bible Verse Text of the Day" to all who would want it.

I especially want to urge our young people to send me their cell numbers so I can better communicate with them.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

YOUTH GROUP STEAK DINNER AND AUCTION

***SAVE THE DATE*** The date of the Youth Group Steak Dinner and Auction has been set for Saturday, February 11, 2012. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. and dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. Please join us for a night of fun and fundraising. We will be having the old favorites: silent auction and 50/50 drawing as well as the new favorites: live auction, dessert dash, wine raffle, and the WILD HEARTS JACKPOT DRAWING where there is a chance to win $500.00.

Tickets for the WILD HEARTS $500 DRAWING are on sale now. Please ask a youth group member to get yours. The tickets are 1 for $10 but for an additional $10 you can get 10 more tickets and have 11 chances at winning!

The youth will begin selling dinner/auction tickets at the beginning of January in the narthex after services. Tickets are $15 per person. Bid only tickets are $5.00. You may also contact Marilyn to reserve tickets.

In order to guarantee that you get to sit with a special group of family or friends, you may want to consider purchasing a table of 8 for $120.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

A MOMENT OF GRACE FLORIST IS DONATING 10% oF EACH ST. JOHN'S MEMBER'S SALE BACK TO THE CHURCH

Each time you purchase flowers and other gifts from A MOMENT OF GRACE and tell them you are a member at St. John's, the church receives a tithe from them. A Moment of Grace is located at 511 N Hwy 47 and the phone number is 456-9334.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

PRAYERS: (If I have missed anyone please let me know.)

For THE RAUSCH FAMILY and all family and friend of KEN SUTOR (Lisa Rausch's dad) as he was called to his heavenly home early Sunday morning.

For HANK SCHMIDT who is hospitalized with a heart rate that is way too high.

For BETTY TAMELER who is recovering from knee replacement surgery at Delmar Gardens nursing home.

For ROSETTA JONES who is recovering from a broken hip at St Jospeh's hospital rehab.

For the FAMILY OF DOT DAEHNKE, as she passed away this past Thursday. Memorial service is still pending.

For ANNA HOELSCHER who is recovering at Jonesburg Nursing Home after falling and breaking her hip.

For MRS SISSON (1st grade teacher at Daniel Boone) AND HER NEW BABY, CHLOE, as they both grow stronger with each passing day. Baby Chloe has about 2 mor emonths in the hospital.

For KEN WAGNER who is home and is doing well, although he still has a LONG way to go.

For JONAS BORCHERT, grandson of Don Nolte, who continues to be up and down because of chemotherapy treatments.

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
Groups "St. John's Lutheran Church, Warrenton, MO" group.

To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
mailto:stjohnswarrenton+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com

St. John's Group Email apologies about the projector today

If you were at church this morning, you noticed that the projection was quite a bit off for the second half of the service. For that we are truly sorry, especially to Terry McKenzie who was running the computer. I can assure you it wasn't her fault.

We don't know for sure what happened, but we think we have it nailed down to a mere computer glitch. The computer only saved half of the service for today and the other half (from the readings to the end) was left from a service that we had before Christmas, which was the last time we did Divine Service III.

If any one person is at fault it is me for not chekcing it all the way through. I usually check the whole service, but Saturday's service was the same as this morning, and the projection was perfect for that service. So I figured, since there was no problems last night with the service and everything in the first part of the service today looked the same as last night, there was no reason to keep checking the rest of the service, especially since I was short on time this morning. Boy was I wrong.

Anyway, a big lesson has been learned (always check the whole service before church). We may still have minor imperfections in the projection from time to time, but nothing like today.

Please forgive us mere humans for our mistake.

Peace be with you all!
Pastor

St. John's Group Email projector schedule update Thursday, January 19, 3:10

COME ON PEOPLE!!! HELP ME OUT HERE!!!

Thanks to the Mauchs for taking a date!

> Jan 21- Perricone
> 22- Mckenzie
>
> Jan 28- Mauch
> 29- 9am- Schaumberg                        11am-
>
>
> Feb 4- Mckenzie
> 5- 9am-                                                11am-
>
>
> Feb 11- Perricone
> 12- 9am- Schaumberg                            11am- Heitgerd
>
>
> Feb 18-
> 19-  9am- Denise Schleselmann               11am-
>
>
> Feb 22- (Ash Wednesday) Mckenzie
>
>
> Feb 25- Perricone
> 26- 9am- Mckenzie 11am- Heitgerd
>
>
> Wed, Feb 28- Mckenzie
>
>
>
> Mar 3- Mckenzie
> 4- 9am-                                                11am-
>
>
> Wed, Mar 7- Denise Schlesselmann
>
>
> Mar 10- Perricone
> 11-   9am-  Schaumberg                        11am- Heitgerd
>
>
> Wed, Mar 14- Mckenzie
>
>
>
> Mar 17- Perricone
> 18- 9am- Denise Schlesslemann          11am-
>
>
> Wed, Mar 21-
>
>
> Mar 24- Mckenzie
> 25- 9am-                                            11am-
>
>
> Wed, Mar 28- Denise Schlesselmann
>
>
>
> Mar 31-
> Apr 1- (Palm Sunday) 9am-                                      11am-
>
>
> Apr 5- (Maundy Thursday) Mckenzie
>
>
> Apr 6- (Good Friday) Mckenzie
>
> Apr 8- (Easter Sunday)
> 6:30am- Schaumberg   10am- Mckenzie

St. John's Group Email Thursday, January 19, 2012

DEVOTION:

(The Holy Spirit says) "I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more." Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin. Hebrews 10:17-18

The year was 1933 and Antonio, who had been stationed in Naples as a carabinieri, a paramilitary policeman, fell in love with Rosa.

They were married the following year.

Together they shared five children and 77 years. Understand, not all of those years were good. During the war, in 1944, Rosa had an affair -- an affair which she broke off, an affair which she kept secret. For more than 60 years she kept that affair secret.

Sixty years wasn't long enough. Recently, while Antonio and Rosa were clearing out their apartment in Rome, he came across a dust-covered pile of letters she had written to her lover. Furious, Antonio moved out and has filed for divorce. Rosa is not contesting the suit filed by her 99-year-old husband.

That's the story which is the basis of this devotion. Quite honestly, there are a number of ways we could go from here.

We could speak of how one sin is enough to separate us from the one Person in the universe who loves us the most.

We could talk about how the Lord is justifiably hurt when we sin, when we lie, when we try to cover our transgressions.

Yes, we could speak about all of those things.

Instead, I'd rather have you think about how blessed we are to have a God who, in spite of our liaisons with sin, still loved us and wished to save us. You will note that Antonio held Rosa responsible for her actions. He didn't blame the children, his grandchildren, their great-grandchildren. No, she and she alone was the object of his anger.

But that is not what the Lord did. So that the rift between us -- the rift which we had singlehandedly created -- might be healed, God graciously, mercifully, sent His Son to take our place and endure our punishment.

The Innocent was punished for the guilty. It's not what Antonio did, it's not what we would do, but be thankful God is not us. This is why because of His Son's sacrifice all who believe are forgiven and, as Scripture says, God remembers their sins no more (see Isaiah 43:25).

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, today I give thanks that You voluntarily took the punishment my sins had earned. May I, in thanks to You, live my life in a way which shows my thanks. In Your Name I ask it. Amen.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: When Joseph's brothers returned to their father to get Benjamin and bring him back to Joseph, who was taken from them, bound and left in Egypt? Simeon (Jim Rahn is our new one day champion)
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
TODAY'S QUIZ: When Joseph first saw his brother Benjamin what did he do?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CATECHISM:

10th commandment: You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.

Question: What does this mean?
Answer: We should fear and love God so that we do not entice or force away our neighbor's wife, workers, or animals, or turn them against him, but urge them to stay and do their duty.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

CHURCH CALENDAR

Thurs- nothing

Fri- Pastor at PreLenten workshop at seminary

Sat- worship 5pm; TRIVIA 6pm

Sun- Bible Study 8; worship 9; Bible Study and Sunday school 10:15

________________________________________________________________________________________________
NEWS:

TRIVIA NIGHT COMING UP SATURDAY NIGHT, JANUARY 21, RIGHT AFTER CHURCH!!!!

Trivia Night! Sign up your team of 8 for the New Year's Trivia Night to be held January 21 immediately following the Saturday night service. $40 per team; bring drinks and snacks for your team. 50-50 raffle; proceeds to go to the Building Fund; winners will receive their entry fee back. For more information, call Lois Boeger at 456-8621. Call the church office to sign up!!!

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

YOUTH SERVANT EVENT THIS SUMMER!!!!!! 8-12 GRADERS AND ADULT LEADERS WILL BE GOING TO JOPLIN, JULY 9-14!!!

All who want to go need to sign up. Directions on how to sign up are as follows:

1. Go to lutheranchurchcharities.org

2. Click on "volunteer in Joplin"

3. Go to bottom of page and click on "click here to register individually"

4. Fill out all of the required info. (Your group's name is St John's Warrenton, MO)

5. Click submit at the end of the page.

Let me know if you want to go. ALL ADULTS ARE WELCOME!!!!

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

PROJECTOR SCHEDULE

KEEP ON FILLING UP THE LIST!! I APPRECIATE IT IMMENSELY!!

> Jan 21- Perricone
> 22- Mckenzie
>
> Jan 28-
> 29- 9am- Schaumberg                        11am-
>
>
> Feb 4- Mckenzie
> 5- 9am-                                                11am-
>
>
> Feb 11- Perricone
> 12- 9am- Schaumberg                            11am- Heitgerd
>
>
> Feb 18-
> 19-  9am- Denise Schleselmann               11am-
>
>
> Feb 22- (Ash Wednesday) Mckenzie
>
>
> Feb 25- Perricone
> 26- 9am- Mckenzie 11am- Heitgerd
>
>
> Wed, Feb 28- Mckenzie
>
>
>
> Mar 3- Mckenzie
> 4- 9am-                                                11am-
>
>
> Wed, Mar 7- Denise Schlesselmann
>
>
> Mar 10- Perricone
> 11-   9am-  Schaumberg                        11am- Heitgerd
>
>
> Wed, Mar 14- Mckenzie
>
>
>
> Mar 17- Perricone
> 18- 9am- Denise Schlesslemann          11am-
>
>
> Wed, Mar 21-
>
>
> Mar 24- Mckenzie
> 25- 9am-                                            11am-
>
>
> Wed, Mar 28- Denise Schlesselmann
>
>
>
> Mar 31-
> Apr 1- (Palm Sunday) 9am-                                      11am-
>
>
> Apr 5- (Maundy Thursday) Mckenzie
>
>
> Apr 6- (Good Friday) Mckenzie
>
> Apr 8- (Easter Sunday)
> 6:30am- Schaumberg   10am- Mckenzie

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________

New worship service starting on Sunday, January 29 at 11am.

BELOW AREE SOME QUESTIONS THAT HAVE COME UP AND THE ANSWERS TO THOSE QUESTIONS:

What we ask of you from now until January 29 is that you support this endeavor, that you invite people who would, for whatever reason, like to attend this type of worship, and that you pray for this endeavor and for our church in general that it owuld be blessed beyond measure in 2012.

If you have any skills or talents that you feel would benefit this service please contact me at 359-1061.

Then on January 29, COME to the service and participate.

The vision is that this will be a great blessing to our church and that it will fit the needs of young families, kids, teenagers, and the young at heart so that we can bring more people into the body of Christ this year than ever before.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PASTOR NOW HAS TEXTING ON HIS PHONE

I especially want to urge our young people to send me their cell numbers so I can better communicate with them.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

YOUTH GROUP STEAK DINNER AND AUCTION

In order to guarantee that you get to sit with a special group of family or friends, you may want to consider purchasing a table of 8 for $120.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

A MOMENT OF GRACE FLORIST IS DONATING 10% oF EACH ST. JOHN'S MEMBER'S SALE BACK TO THE CHURCH

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

PRAYERS: (If I have missed anyone please let me know.

For the FAMILY OF DOT DAEHNKE, as she passed away this past Thursday. Memorial service is still pending.

For ANNA HOELSCHER who is recovering at Jonesburg Nursing Home after falling and breaking her hip.

For MRS SISSON (1st grade teacher at Daniel Boone) AND HER NEW BABY, CHLOE, as they both grow stronger with each passing day. Baby Chloe has about 2 mor emonths in the hospital.

For KEN SUTOR, Lisa Rausch's dad, who is was brought home and is on hospice care, but is in good spirits.

For KEN WAGNER who is home and is doing well, although he still has a LONG way to go.

For JONAS BORCHERT, grandson of Don Nolte, who continues to be up and down because of chemotherapy treatments.

St. John's Group Email Wednesday, January 18, 2012

DEVOTION:

(Jesus said) "A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side." Luke 10:30-32

A week or two ago the media carried the story of Roger Andersen and family.

Andersen was driving on a winding Utah canyon, when his car slid into an icy river. His daughter, son and another nine-year-old were trapped. Andersen managed to get to the surface and told some bystanders about the children.

According to Andersen, it took but a second for a number of people to jump into the river. Quickly they pulled the children out, gave them CPR and saved those young lives.

People getting involved ... doing what's right ... taking a stand. That's the spirit that saved Andersen's family; it's what saved a fellow in another Utah crash, one that happened last September. Maybe you remember seeing the video of the motorcyclist who was pinned under a burning car? If so, you also recall how a group of five folks tried to free that cyclist and failed.

But those good Samaritans didn't give up. No, they called for help and soon almost a dozen folks came together and, ignoring the flames, managed to lift the car, so the cyclist could be pulled to safety.

It was a beautiful story except for one bothersome thing: the man in the suit.

If you review the video as I have just done, you will see a man in a suit. During the first attempt he stood to the side and did not participate. During the second attempt nothing changed. He watched and didn't get involved.

Now I know there could be 100 reasons -- some of them very good reasons -- explaining why that man didn't lend a hand. But from what I can see, and I freely and readily admit I could be wrong, it looks like he's very deliberately remaining aloof and detached.

As I watched that scene, I wondered what would I have done if I had been there that day. Would I have been the watching, waiting fellow in the suit, or would I have joined with those who were compassionate and committed? Would those flames have fired me toward greater action or toward cowardice? I pray God would give us all the grace to do what we can.

And even as I contemplated what I would have done, I gave thanks for what Jesus did.

When we were hopelessly trapped by sin, when there was no hope of our escaping a terrible end, Jesus entered this world and did what had to be done. Alone, unaided, unapplauded and unappreciated, He did all that needed to be done to save us.

And, unlike the other rescuers in our stories who calculated they had a good chance of surviving, Jesus knew He had to die so we might live. He took His stand and because He did, we have forgiveness, salvation and eternal life.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, this day I give thanks for those who do what needs to be done, who take a stand for what is right, even when it costs. Most of all I give thanks for my Savior, who stood fearlessly against sin, death and devil. For His sacrifice, for my forgiveness and salvation, I give thanks. In His Name. Amen.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: Which of Joseph's brothers first suggested that they sell him into slavery instead of killing him? Judah (Dolores Deblaze was our winner yesterday.)
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
TODAY'S QUIZ:
When Joseph's brothers returned to their father to get Benjamin and bring him back to Joseph, who was taken from them, bound and left in Egypt?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CATECHISM:

8th commandment: You shall not covet your neighbor's house.

Question: What does God require of us in the Ninth Commandment?
Answer:

We should be content with what God has given us and assist our neighbor in keeping what God has given that person.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

CHURCH CALENDAR

Wed- Ladies Aid meeting 1pm; bells 6:30; choir 7:30