DEVOTION: Jesus said) "You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about Me." John 5:39
When I grew up, there was a television program called, You Are There.
Using a TV news format, the program took the viewer back in time to various historical events. The landing of the Hindenburg, the Salem witchcraft trials, the Gettysburg address, and even the trial of Jesus all were given an episode.
Now it appears You Are There is becoming a reality.
Let me explain. Recently, Daniel Wallace, professor at Dallas Theological Seminary, announced that seven New Testament papyri have been discovered. Six of those writings are from the second century and, one, a fragment of the book of Mark, probably originates in the first.
Simply stated, that means the papyrus was written during the time when eyewitnesses of Jesus' resurrection could still have been alive.
So, what does that mean to the average Joe and Jane?
Since this manuscript would be about 150 years older than any other New Testament Gospel fragment we have, it would imply that it probably is more accurate. That's because there would have been fewer copies made and, therefore, fewer errors made by the copyists.
Indeed, this manuscript moves us 150 years closer to the time our beloved Lord and Savior walked the earth.
Now the manuscripts are not due to be released until next year. I have not seen them, nor has anyone else I know. Even so, I am willing to go out on a limb and, without claiming any prophetic ability, make the following predictions: I predict after this manuscript has been compared with other ancient texts, there will be no glaring or major changes. Further, I predict this manuscript will offer no modifications that might impact any major or minor doctrine.
Once again, in making these predictions I lay no claim to having any prophetic gifts.
What I do claim is a belief that God's Word is God's Word, and the Holy Spirit has protected it, so we might be confident we have an accurate record of God's entire plan of salvation.
This is why, when the manuscripts are published, I pray you will join me in giving thanks that, once more, the Lord has told us the Savior's story of salvation is faithful and true. In fact we can do that right now.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, the Holy Scriptures tell the story of how Your Son paid the price necessary to forgive our sins and save our souls. May we be truly grateful for all You have done, including giving us a book which can be trusted to tell the truth. In Jesus' Name I give thanks. Amen. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: What was placed in the ark of the covenant? In the book of Exodus only the tablets of the ten commandments are mentioned, later on a jar of manna, and Aaron's staff are also mentioned as being part of the contents.
(Dolores Deblaze is our winner.)
Here is a more detailed explanation from good ole wikipedia:
The Ark of the Covenant is a chest described in the
Book of Exodus[1] as solely containing the
Tablets of Stone on which the
Ten Commandments were inscribed. According to some traditional interpretations of the
Book of Exodus,
[2] Book of Numbers,
[3] and the
Letter to the Hebrews[4] the Ark also contained
Aaron's rod, a jar of
manna and the first
Torah scroll as written by
Moses; however, the first of the
Books of Kings says that at the time of king
Solomon, the Ark contained only the two Tablets of the Law.
[5] According to the
Book of Exodus, the Ark was built at the command of God, in accordance with the instructions given to
Moses on
Mount Sinai.
[6] God was said to have communicated with Moses "from between the two
cherubim" on the Ark's cover.
[7] _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ TODAY'S QUIZ: Did women ever get an allotment of the land of Israel? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ CATECHISM:Question: What is meant by "I believe in God"?
Answer: It means I trust God and His promises and accept as true all He teaches in the Holy Scriptures.
________________________________________________________________________________________________CHURCH CALENDAR Tues- quilters 9-2; No Bible study today; trustees 7pm
Wed- Supper 5:30; bells 6; worship 7; choir 7:30
Thurs- circuit meeting 9am
Fri- nothing
Sat- worship 5pm
Sun- Bible Study 8; worship 9; special voters meeting 10:15am; worship 11am
________________________________________________________________________________________________NEWS: WEDNESDAY SUPPER AT 5:30 AND WORSHIP 7pm
Supper- 5:30--- Spaghetti, salad, garlic bread, dessert Worship- 7pm- Listen in on the disciples and Jesus as they go to the garden of Gethsemane to pray and sleep
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SPECIAL VOTER'S MEETING SUNDAY, MARCH 18 AT 10:15 to discuss the building of a new entry way to our narthex and sanctuary. Watch your home mailbox for details!!!
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________LITTLE LAMBS REGISTRATION IS GOING ON RIGHT NOW FOR CURRENTLY ENROLLED FAMILIES AND CHURCH MEMBERS!! A nonrefundable enrollment fee of $30 is required. Open enrollment for the whole community opens April 1.
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TRAVELING FELLOWSHIP GROUP GOING TO THE AMISH COMMUNITY OF ARTHUR, IL ON APRIL 21. Cost is $65 per person. Sign up sheet in on the counter in the narthex or you can call Marilyn in the office to sign up. THERE ARE PLENTY OF SPOTS AVAILABLE!!!!! SIGN UP TODAY!!
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________STEWARDSHIP SPOLIGHT FOR THIS MONTH IS LUTHERAN HOUR MINISTRIESLHM is a Christian outreach ministry supporting churches, missions, and ministry worldwide. The daily devotion above comes from LHM almost every day. If you wish to donate ot it please make a check out to LHM and put it in a specially designated envelope.
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VOLUNTEER MONEY MANAGEMENT HELP FOR SENIORIf you are a senior age 60 (or age 50 with a disability) and find that paying bills each month can be confusing and frustrating, the Volunteer Money Management Program (VMMP) is available to help. Provided by Lutheran Senior Services and Jewish Family and Children Service, VMMP links volunteers with older or disabled adults who need assistance with maintaining finances. These volunteers can help with sorting, organizing, recording and paying monthly bills, all under your supervision in the comfort of your own home. They can even help with balancing checkbooks. Costs are offered on a sliding scale, and fees can be fully waived if needed. For more info, call 314-446-2523.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________BIBLE 101: A NEW ONLINE "INTRODUCTORY" BIBLE STUDY IS AVAILABLE FOR ALL MEMBERS OF ST JOHN'S!!! 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!!!
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PRAYERS: (If I have missed anyone please let me know.)
For LEONARD WAALEN who is on hospice care at Progress West and for his family as they deal with this tough situation.
For LIBBY PAILER as she is hospitalized at St. John's Mercy in Creve Couer awaiting surgery.
For DOLORES DEBLAZE as she is having a CT scan today and is awaiting cancer surgery later this week.
For JEANETTE KOEHLER who is now at The Cedars in Creve Couer
For HANK SCHMIDT who is at Surrey Place in Creve Couer recovering from and going through cancer treatments.
For THOSE WHO LOST LOVED ONES in the tornadoes this past week.
For THOSE IN LAKE ST LOUIS who lost their homes in an apartment fire last week.
For MISSIONARIES AND PASTORS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD who are dealing with severe opposition, imprisonment and even the threat of death because of the faith.
For JONAS BORCHERT, grandson of Don Nolte, who continues to be up and down because of chemotherapy treatments.
