| "Leave Behind The Past" August 6, 2012  Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the Gospel of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the Gospel." Mark 1:14-15Rodney Dwayne Valentine had paid his debt to society. Valentine had entered the Rockingham County, North Carolina, jail on May 22nd. He served his sentence without incident or difficulty. That's why it was no surprise to Valentine when the sheriff's office told him he was free, and it was time for him to return to society. When the officers refused to chauffeur him to the place he wanted to go, Valentine refused to leave the jail, and he kept on refusing. Indeed, he stayed in that jail so long the police eventually re-arrested him, charged him with second-degree trespassing, and threw him into the hoosegow. When I first read that bit of news, I thought, what a unique story! Then, after a while, I realized Valentine's story is anything but unique. Indeed, his story is the story of millions of people. Let me explain: if you read through Scripture, you will find certain themes are repeated again and again. One of those themes is God's calling sinners to repentance. In the Gospels we have the Baptizer speaking to people out in the wilderness. His message was one of repentance. When John was taken out of commission, Jesus took up the summons and asked His disciples to do the same. Mark sums it all up in a few short words. Jesus said, "... the Kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe in the Gospel." Since those days the faithful church has continued to proclaim the same message: be turned from the sinner you were and be remade into a forgiven soul, who is redeemed by the blood of the Lamb. It is God's truth we are glad to share. Jesus has paid our debt -- not to society -- but to the Lord. Now all who with a repentant heart acknowledge the Christ as their Savior are forgiven and given eternal life. Like Rodney Dwayne Valentine, we are free. Sadly, too many people don't want to leave their sins behind. Too many people want to stay just where they are: doomed and damned because of the sins to which they still cling. It is a terrible and preventable tragedy. This is why today we pray for those souls who -- without a repentant faith -- will find themselves thrown into eternal prison. THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, there are many souls who refuse to be changed. If possible, use us and the Savior's story of salvation to reach them. By Your power, turn their hearts and change their lives, so they, like us, may be forgiven and free. This I ask in Jesus' Name. Amen |
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| This message was sent to revklaus@hotmail.com by MissouriDistrict@mo.lcms.org |  |
| 660 Mason Ridge Center Drive #100, St. Louis, MO, 63141 | ||
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Mary Sue Toedebusch
Realtor Consultant
Century 21 Luetkenhaus
(636)359-0053 - Cell
(636) 980-2121 Office
St. John's organist and music director for the last seven years, Gene Hilgendorf, has decided to end his services to our congregation as of July 31.
We truly do appreciate his service and his time here at St. John's. He has truly been a blessing in many different ways to many different people during his tenure at St. John's and for many years before in several different churches.
His professionalism and dedication to his craft have been tremendous. He has put countless hours into working to make the music program at St. John's the best it could be. The many weeknights and weekends working with individuals, with the adult choir, with the bell choir, and with the organ have all been outstanding and truly blessed by the Lord. His knowledge of an organ and how it works is something that you just don't find in too many places anymore.
Most of all, it is his dedication to the Lord and doing things right and in good order to make sure the Lord is praised, that is going to be missed.
We wish him all of God's richest blessings as he goes into this new area time of his life. We pray that he has a wonderful time spending more time with his family, especially his son in Omaha, and as he looks to serve the Lord in other ways in different churches in the area.
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JEANNIE SIEBOLD ALSO RETIRING FROM PLAYING THE ORGAN
Because she and Gene have moved to Ofallon, and because Gene is dealing with esophogeal cancer and treatments for it, Jeannie Siebold has decided to hang up her organ shoes and to retire from it (at least for the time being). We thank her for her many years of service to St. John's and for the blessing she has been to so many people in so many different ways, including leading the kids chime choir for several years, being a Stephen Minister, being chairwoman of Ladies Aid and serving n countless other ways. May God bless her as she continues to serve the Lord in other ways, byt aking care of Gene, by loving on her kids,g randkids, and great-grandkids, and by just being the loving person she has always been.
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ORGANIST NEEDED
Because both Jeannie and Gene are retiring at the same time, it leaves a huge hole in our worship. While these holes will not be filled easily, we know that the Lord will take care of us! For the time being, if anyone knows of an organist who can fill in for the next few months (on a part time or full time basis) please call pastor at 359-1061!!
