DEVOTION: (Note: Usually I just copy and paste the daily devotion from Lutheran Hour Ministries, but today I thought it would be good to actually write the devotion.)
WHile Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. And the believers from among the circumsized who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. then Peter declared, "Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit, just as we have? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Acts 10:44-48
I am excited to tell you that in the next three weeks St. John's will add at least 24 new members through baptism, adult confirmation, affirmation of faith, and transfer. You read that right 24!
How did this happen, you ask? Well, it was a number of factors that worked in these people's hearts and lives. Many of them started coming to our church because of our new 11am service. Some of them came because of friends or family they have here. Some of them had been going to another a different Lutheran church where they lived before. In all of these cases there is one determining factor. God, the Holy Spirit, has worked in their hearts and lives through His Word and sacraments.
How they first received the Word is different in every situation. Some heard it from a family member. Some heard it for the first time from me as they heard a sermon. Others had heard it a long time ago and remembered it after being away from it for a long time. Truth is that the Holy Spirit can work wherever and whenever He wants. He even works through you and me.
My friends, our church has such great potential to grow to be a huge church both in numbers and in how we can effect the community for Christ. We have the truth! The Holy SPirit is on our side! We have tons of wonderful, loving people who want others to know of Christ's love. Best of all, it is the Holy SPirit who does all the work. You are just the vessel, the means, by which the Lord brings His Word to bear on the lives of those He loves.
The Holy SPirit can do anything, anytime, anywhere. I urge you to let Him work through you to do His will, whatever it may be. You will be amamzed just like the Jewish Christians were to see who the Holy SPirit can bring to faith.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: How did King Saul die? During a battle he became surrounded by the enemy and he didn't want the enemy to kill him, so he had his armor bearer hold his sword and he fell on it. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________TODAY'S QUIZ: Who was Michal? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ CATECHISM First article: I believe in God, the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and eart.Question: What does this mean?
Answer: I believe that God has made me and all creatures; that He has given me my body and soul, eyes, ears, and all my members, my reason and all my senses, and still takes care of them.
He also gives me clothing and shoes, food and drink, house and home, wife and children, land, animals, and all I have. he richly and daily provides me with all that I need to support this body and life.
He defends me against all danger and guards and protects me from all evil.
Al lthis He does only out of Fatherly divine good ness and mercy, without any merit or worthiness in me. For all this it is my duty to thank and praise, serve and obey him. This is most certainly true.
________________________________________________________________________________________________CHURCH CALENDAR Mon- confirmation 5-6:15; youth group Bible study 6:30
Tues- quilters 9-2; Bible study 11:30-12:15; trustees 7pm
Wed- nothing
Thurs- creative crafters 9:30-11:30
Fri- Bible study at Hendershots 7pm
Sat- worship 5pm
Sun- early Bible study 8am; worship 9am; Sunday school/Bible class 10:15am; worship 11am
________________________________________________________________________________________________NEWS: PEOPLE GETTING CONFIRMED BAPTIZED OR RECEIVED INTO MEMBERSHIP THIS WEEKEND Jennifer Poindexter (adult confirmation)
Will Poindexter (transfer from Orchard Farm)
Emma Poindexter (infant baptism)
Brett Nordwald (adult confirmation)
Brent Davis (transfer from MN)
Donna Lindsey (transfer from Trinity, Troy)
Holly and Nikki DeRoy (affirmation of faith)
Robert and Jane Nitzschke (affirmation of faith)
Kayla Bodimer (baptized)
Mary Aubuchon (affirmation of faith) (Husband Jerry to be confirmed soon)
Please welcome them and get to know them as they are ne wmembers of St. John's family.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ LITTLE LAMBS REGISTRATION FOR THE THREE YEAR OLD CLASS IS STILL OPEN!!! Children should be 3 years old by August 1. Call the church office to sign them up TODAY!_____________________________________________________________________________________________CONGREGATION WORK DAY THIS SATURDAY BEGINNING AT 8AM!!! There is a bunch of stuff that needs to be done around the church!! Just show up ready to work at 8am!! Bring tools if you got em. Talk to one of the trustees if you want to know more. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ TAILGATE SALE AND FLEA MARKET iS SATURDAY, MAY 5, 7am-1pm This is held in conjunction witht he Ladies Aid Craft and Bake Sale and Luncheon Two ways you can help. 1. You cna donate GENTLY used items to Little Lambs who will sell them under the pavilion that day. You can buy a parking spot or two or three for $10 a piece and sell your own things Donations are going to the purchase of a "hands on" science lab and curriculum for Little Lambs. Drop of dates are April 30-May 4. _____________________________________________________________________________________ ALPHA CLASS IS OPEN TO EVERYONE, BOTH MEMBERS AND NONMEMBERS, BOTH THOSE WHO ARE OLD CHRISTIANS AND THOSE WHO HAVE NEVER EVEN HEARD OF JESUS!!!There are still spots left to sign up for the ALPHA class, but not too many. It is a class for those who are new to the Bible and Christianity (making it a perfect opportunity for outreach and evangelism. but it is also good for the seasoned Christian to review and to grow in the faith. Many of the questions you have alway had but have been afraid to ask will be answered. Please call Sandy Robine to sign up TODAY! 456-4061. Or email snsrobine@centurytel.net. It starts Tuesday night April 17!!!______________________________________________________________________________________________________________THE WHOLE CONGREGATION CAN SIGN UP TO HELP TO WORK FOR TORNADO RELIEF IN INDIANA AND KENTUCKY Go to
https://lcc.ccbchurch.com/w_form_response.php?form_id=697 and fill out the form. A report of your signing up will come directly to my email.
SInce there aren't a whole lot of Sr Hi kids signing up for it, I have decided to open it up to the whole congregation.
The dates we are going are Sunday, July 8- Saturday July 14. We will leave after church on Sunday and return on Saturday in the erly afternoon.
We will be staying at Camp Lakeview, a Lutheran camp just south of Indianapolis. Check it out at
http://www.camplakeview.com/.
If you need any mor einfo before you sign up, you know where I am 636-359-1061.
___________________________________________________________________________________________HELP TO FEED HUNGRY KIDS IN WARREN COUNTY WITH OPERATION BACKPACKIn the preschool room there is a box that you can put food in to feed extremely low income children in Warren County. Many of these kids get fed every day at school for breakfast and lunch, but what about the weekend? What the food listed below does for many of these children is gets them through the weekend when food is especially scarce. If you want more information about this program or you want to donate money to this causeyou can call Erin Waters at 359-9219 or email her at erinwaters@centurytel.net. Here is the list of food you can bringcereal (single serve sizes)oatmeal (instant packets)hot chocolate mixjuice boxespeanut butterjelly (squeezable bottles)soupspaghettios or beefaronimac and cheesecorngreen beansgranola barsfruit snackspudding cupraisin boxesapplesauce cupsfruit cupscereal bardspretzelsindividually wrapped crackers or cookiesbread___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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 MINISTRIES
LHM 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.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________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!!! _____________________________________________________________________________________________________
PRAYERS: (If I have missed anyone please let me know.)
FOr KEN DOVE (former member of St. John's and Jennifer Figura's dad) who is undergoing surgery today.
For REBECCA WINN as she is in the hospital getting checked out for appendicitis.
For CAROLINE BUELTMANN who is recovering at her daughter's home from some heart troubles.
For PAUL TOEDEBUSCH who will be undergoing more treatments for cancer.
For LIBBY PAILER as she continues to recover well at home from heart surgery.
For DOLORES DEBLAZE as she deals with chemo treatments for stage four lung cancer.
For CAL TAMELER as he continues to recover after eye surgery.
For JEANETTE KOEHLER who is recovering well at the Cedars.
For JONAS BORCHERT, grandson of Don Nolte, who is improving well and is gaining strength as he deals with his cancer.
