DEVOTION: Jesus said) "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." Matthew 5:43-44
Patrick Greene is an atheist.
Patrick Greene is the kind of atheist who believes in taking a stand when something rankles him. The fact that Henderson County, Texas, a place five hours north of his San Antonio home, put a nativity set on a courthouse square rankled Patrick Greene a lot.
Believing a religious Christmas symbol didn't belong on government property, Greene went to Henderson County, promised to lead a rally, and file a lawsuit if things didn't change.
Well, things changed.
Mr. Greene backed out of his threats when he found he had a detached retina and was going blind. He had to quit his job as a taxi driver and had to figure out how to make ends meet. Making ends meet was especially troublesome since he had no health insurance, and his disability hadn't come through.
The news about Mr. Greene made Jessica Crye, a member of San Springs Baptist Church, give thanks to the Lord. No, she wasn't thanking God the threatened lawsuit had been dropped. She was thanking God the Christian community had been given a chance to show the kind of stuff the Savior's people do.
She, with her church, organized a fundraiser. Hundreds of dollars were sent to Patrick Greene. It was enough to put food on his table 'til assistance arrives. Other Christians offered to pay for his surgery, a gift Greene declined since the success of the surgery was not a guaranteed proposition.
As Pastor Erick Graham said, "We don't discriminate on who we help, whether they are Christians or non-Christians, church members or not, we just help those with a need."
I think those gifts and donations must have made the Savior smile. Somebody understood what He meant when He said we should "love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us." Indeed, Jesus did more than say those words: He lived those words.
He was born into a world that didn't want Him; He was misunderstood and hated by those whom He had come to save. He was deserted by His church, let down by His government, betrayed by a disciple, and deserted by His friends. Yet, never was there a time when Jesus didn't love His enemies or pray for those who persecuted Him.
This is why we, who are the beneficiaries of His life, love and sacrifice, should do the best we can to reflect His Spirit to others. It can make a difference.
How do I know? Mr. Greene is moving to Henderson County where it's cheaper to live, where he can walk to a Wal-Mart, and where he can be near some Christians. (That last part is my thought, not his.)
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, help us to reflect Your love to others, so they might see the greatness of Your grace. This I ask in Your Name. Amen. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: Who was Joab? Joab was the son of Zeruiah, a sister of king David, who made him captain of his army II Samuel 8:16 and 20:23 (Rich Boeger wins today!!!)
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________TODAY'S QUIZ: Who was Absalom? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ CATECHISMQuestion: What is meant by "heaven and earth"?
Answer: All things visible and invisible
________________________________________________________________________________________________CHURCH CALENDAR 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: PROJECTOR SIGN UPS!!!! Please sign up to run the projector for as many dates as you would like! It really isn't that hard. All it requires is that you pay attention during worship and press a button or two. April 14- 15- 9am 11am- 21- 22- 9am 11am 28- 29- 9am 11am- May 5- May 6- 9am 11am- May 12- May 13- 9am 11am- May 19- May 20- 9am 11am- May 26- May 27- 9am 11am June 2- June 3- 9am 11am _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 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)
Glen McRoy (adult confirmation)
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-1pmThis 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, ONLY 5 MORE DAYS TO SIGN UP FOR THE FIRST ALPHA CLASS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FROM YOUR ST. JOHN'S BOARD OF OUTREACH AND EVANGELISM:
THE 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. 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.
Our presenter will be Mr. Jim Muck who is a member of Faith Lutheran Church (LMCS) in Oakville, MO (south county!)
We will meet on Tuesday evenings beginning Tuesday, April 17th through Tuesday, July 3rd.
There will be dinner served at 6:30 PM. Childcare can be arranged, so don't let that hinder your signing up! Just let us know ASAP, so we have time to line someone up.
Please call Sandy Robine to sign up TODAY! 456-4061. Or email snsrobine@centurytel.net. It starts Tuesday night April 17!!! We have 10 signed up already!
There is no set cost for this course! "Free will donations" will be accepted if you wish, or are able.
Looking forward to seeing you there - be ready to have a great time - REALLY! There may be laughing while we increase our knowledge, so be ready for that too! Let Alpha be the beginning of your new journey in Christ!
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________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
This month's mission spolight is TURNING POINT. Turning Point is the emergency women's (and their children's) shelter in Warren County. If women feel they are in danger or they have no where else to turn they can call Turning Point and receive the help they need.
It is a worthwhile and well established mission to support. Go to
http://turningpointdvs-com.doodlekit.com/home to check out more about it and to donate directly to it. You can also donate by using your special offering envelopes and writing Turning Point on the memo line on your check.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 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 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.
Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. ... How shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will. Hebrews 2:1, 3-4
(Jesus said) "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life." John 5:24