St. John's Lutheran ChurchWarrenton, MO

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

DEVOTION:  "You know my folly, O God; my guilt is not hidden from you."

I heard this morning on the news about a guy who attacked a woman in the bathroom at Meramec College. They caught the guy, but since no charges had been filed the man had to be let go. Until charges are filed he is free to roam around. The woman and the family are outraged.

I also heard about how the younger brother of the two who bombed the marathon in Boston, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, had to be formally charged or there could be troubles.  There were questions about Miranda Rights and whether that would be an issue. It was even feared, if only for a few seconds, that he would have to be let go because of it.

It made me wonder and fear how many criminals are walking around every day, guilty as can be, but free nonetheless. How horrible is that? But I guess that is our justice system.

There is someone who has perfect justice though. It is God. He knows everything every evil person has ever done. he even knows about all the evil you have done. That's right. He even knows that. How does that make you feel? Does it make you feel like a dead man/woman walking? Does it make you sink down in your seat a little bit? That's feeling of guilt! You are guilty!!!

In God's eyes, charges have already been filed.  There has already been a hearing.  You have already had your trial by a jury of one, God who knows and sees all things. He has weighed the evidence, and you have been found guilty!

But here's another part of David's Psalm that ends that fear and guilt. It says,
"But I pray to you, O Lord, in the time of your favor; in your great love, O God, answer me with your sure salvation." Psalm 69: 12

That is the only hope you have. The only hope you have is that God has mercy on you because of His great love. Thank God that He does! He has had mercy on you. Because of His great love for you, He sent His Son, Jesus to die for you. He loved you that much! He still does as rotten and sinful as you are. And He gives you a new heart. Day by day He renews your Spirit so that you do not grow weary, but can stand up to the devil and His schemes and win, so that you can live in joy and not sadness, so that you can be fruitful in your faith and make disciples.

Quit living in that sin! Live in that hope and that peace right now!

Let us pray: Lord God, help me to stop living in the guilt of sin. Help me to realize that I may be able to hide from others and to avoid facing my sin, but I cannot hide from you. Help me to get rid of my sin and live in your grace. Amen.
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MONDAY'S QUIZ: What tune was Psalm 69 set to? The tune of "The Lilies."

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TUESDAY'S QUIZ: Who was Psalm 77 written for?

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CALENDAR:

Tues- Quilters 9-2; Bible study 11:30-12:15; Catholic/Lutheran class 7pm

Fri- Assemble newsletter 9am
Sat- Men's breakfast 8am; worship 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30am and 11am; Sunday school 9:45 8th Grade CONFIRMATION at 11am service
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8th GRADE CONFIRMATION THIS SUNDAY AT 11am!!

Come and hear the eight 8th graders read their essays all about what their Lord and their faith means to them.

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REPRESENTATIVE FROM TURNING POINT, ELLEN REED, WILL BE HERE TO TELL US ABOUT TURNING POINT THIS WEEKEND AT THE END OF WORSHIP AND AT BIBLE CLASS.

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MEN'S BREAKFAST ON SATURDAY, APRIL 27 at 8am!!!
I will do the cooking, but I would like a guy or two to help me out. We will eat breakfast and have a half hour devotion, followed by the planning of future gatherings and events. Please make plans to attend TODAY. Wives please encourage your husbands to go!!!
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NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER BREAKFAST AND SERVICE NEXT THURSDAY, MAY 2!!!!

Come and enjoy a wonderful continental breakfast with many of your brothers and sisters in Christ from throughout the community and then spend some time in prayer and worship before going to school and/or work.

Breakfast begins at 6:30am

Prayer service begins at 7am and will last half an hour so that no one is late for school or work.

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SPRING BAZAAR AND EXTRAVAGANZA COMNG UP SATURDAY, MAY 4!!!

Do you like hunting for treasures?? Do you like good deals? Do you like good eats? Do you like to support your church and your preschool?

Then come up to church 7am-1pm and find all that you will need!!

Here's what we will have!!

1. Lunch: sloppy joes, hot dogs, pie, chips, drinks!!

2. Ladies Aid Bake and Craft Sale

3. Vendor Fair- Tupperware, Scentsy, Upper Case Living, etc.

4. Parking Lot Flea market/yard sale

There are still spots available in the basement and in the parking lot to sell your won stuff!! Call the church office today 456-2888!!!

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PRAYER REQUESTS:

For JEANETTE KOEHLER as she is hospitalized recovering from surgery to remove and infection in her leg.

For PAUL TOEDEBUSCH, who will be having surgery June 14 to remove his bladder due to cancer.

For MARY SUE TOEDEBUSCH as she meets with the doctor on Thursday to discuss the results of breathing tests

For RICK SPINIOLAS who has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and will be beginning chemotherapy on Monday.

For NANCY SPINIOLAS, his wife, who is dealing with severe back pain due to many years of using an artificial leg.

For RALPH SPOEDE who is dealing with cancer in both his kidney and in his brain.

For DOMINIC GENTILE, a friend to many at church and in the community, who is suffering with brain cancer and is recovering from surgery.

For JONAS BORCHERT, grandson of Don Nolte, and Pat King's cousin on your prayers today as well.
PAT KING'S COUSIN is seeing the doctor today about an ovarian cyst.

PRAYERS FOR OUR SERVICEMEN

I have been compiling a list of servicemen who are members of St John's so that we can pray for them. Below is a list of them and where they are currently stationed. Please note that their stationing changes quickly, so this may not even be up to date, but it is the last known whereabouts that I have of these guys.

Danny Dreyer- Army- 2nd Lieutenant- graduating from Ranger school Thursday.

Sam Hargrove- Army- 2 Lieutenant- Ft Rucker, Alabama, will be going through helicopter flight school and other training

David Mincemeyer- Army- Army Specialist- Ft. Carson, CO

Jon Rahn- Navy- Hawaii, not sure of his rank at this time

David Tate- Air Force- 2nd Lieutenant- Kirtland AF Base, Albuquerque, NM

Alex Walters- Navy- E4- Guam

Ryan Woolf- Air Force- Airman 1st Class- Buckley Air Force Base, near Denver, CO

If there are more out there that I just don't know about, please let me know, and I will include him/her on the list.

Also, if you would like your family member or friend included in this list, please reply to this email with all the information!

Pray for these guys. Some of these guys are in harm's way right now, others are training to put themselves in harm's way. All of them have volunteered to serve and protect their country (which is you).

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National Day of Prayer - Warren County - Thursday, May 2

Monday, April 22, 2013

DEVOTION: Ephesians 4:1-2 "I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

A week and a day ago our voter's assembly voted on a matter of great importance to our congregation. We voted to continue the process of calling/hiring a DCE (Director of Christian Education). The vote was 41-15.

I mention this again, because a lot of times, with our busy lives and everything we have going on, we can so easily forget the mission of the church.

I also mention it because it is very important that we continue to move forward on this.

Alan Hofeldt said it best when he mentioned in his presentation at the voters meeting that (not a direct quote), We need to be working TOGETHER toward a common goal. It does no good to continue to splinter our efforts with our tithes and offerings because of personal priorities and motives. Continuing to show your disapproval for something that has already been voted on and approved by the majority in a voters assembly does no good. UNITY IN THE SPIRIT IN A BOND OF PEACE IS CRUCIAL!

Our next step in the process is to have a capital campaign to work toward raising the funds needed to support a DCE. It will take a concerted effort from EVERY member of the congregation.

It is going to require A LOT of COMMITMENT and SACRIFICE from ALL OF US to make this work. But mostly it is going to require the Lord to work what only the Lord can do, which is to work in the hearts and lives of the members of St. John's! Please pray for that!!

Right now, here are three things you can do:
1. Volunteer to be a part of the Capital Campaign Committee (We need committed, energized, and positive people to be a part of this.)

2. Commit to worship! Participation is key to any organizations success, but especially a church.

3. Commit to giving to the Lord! God loves a CHEERFUL giver!

4. Minister to our children and youth right now!!! When you see a kid in church, thank them for being there, encourage them in their participation, and help them to grow in their faith! You may even want to volunteer to lead the high school Bible class on Sunday morning!!

4. Pray for your church. Pray that we can reach our goal quickly. Pray that we grow in our unity and remain unified in our goal. Pray that we grow in numbers and in faith!

I am excited about the future of St. John's and I am proud of our church! Are you! I am proud that we believe in Christ! I am proud that we have a mission to the young people in our own church, the community, and the world! And I am proud of all of the believers who call themselves members of St. John's for who they are as my brothers and sisters in Christ!

Let us pray: Lord God, help our congregation to reach its goal of calling a DCE so we can further our mission to bring the Gospel to the next generation. Help us to unify under this goal. help us to grow in numbers and in our own faith. And help us to be positive and thankful for all that You give to us daily and will give us for eternal life! Amen.

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WEDNESDAY'S QUIZ: What three groups, corresponding to the sons of Levi, did David divide the Levites into? Gershon, Kobath, and Merari (Good job Pam, Bob, and Dianne!!)

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MONDAY'S QUIZ: What tune was Psalm 69 set to?

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CALENDAR:

Mon- 8th grade confirmation 5:6:15pm

Tues- Quilters 9-2; Bible study 11:30-12:15; Catholic/Lutheran class 7pm

8th GRADE CONFIRMATION THIS SUNDAY AT 11am!!

Come and hear the eight 8th graders read their essays all about what their Lord and their faith means to them.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

REPRESENTATIVE FROM TURNING POINT, ELLEN REED, WILL BE HERE TO TELL US ABOUT TURNING POINT THIS WEEKEND AT THE END OF WORSHIP AND AT BIBLE CLASS.

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Breakfast begins at 6:30am

Prayer service begins at 7am and will last half an hour so that no one is late for school or work.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

SPRING BAZAAR AND EXTRAVAGANZA COMNG UP SATURDAY, MAY 4!!!

Do you like hunting for treasures?? Do you like good deals? Do you like good eats? Do you like to support your church and your preschool?

Then come up to church 7am-1pm and find all that you will need!!

Here's what we will have!!

1. Lunch: sloppy joes, hot dogs, pie, chips, drinks!!

2. Ladies Aid Bake and Craft Sale

3. Vendor Fair- Tupperware, Scentsy, Upper Case Living, etc.

4. Parking Lot Flea market/yard sale

There are still spots available in the basement and in the parking lot to sell your won stuff!! Call the church office today 456-2888!!!

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PRAYER REQUESTS:

THANKSGIVING for DANNY DREYER, as he has finished Ranger school and will graduate this week.

For the FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF GLEN MCROY as he passed away last week and was buried on Saturday.