St. John's Lutheran ChurchWarrenton, MO

Thursday, April 25, 2013

DEVOTION: Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. James 1:19-20

No matter what you might think, this devotion is not about two teenagers.

The first teenager is Anne Frank. As most of you know, she was a Jewish girl who spent two years hiding from the Nazis in Amsterdam. Eventually, she and her family were found, arrested and, with the exception of her father, died in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. It was only after her father returned to their hiding place that he found his daughter's diary. The book has touched millions and today, Anne Frank's hiding place has become a museum.

The second teenager's life is, in many ways, the opposite of Anne Frank's. This teenage boy is 19-year-old rock star and heartthrob Justin Bieber. Unlike Frank whose life was hidden, everything Bieber does is reported, discussed, analyzed and paraded before his fans and the public,

including his recent visit to the Anne Frank Museum in Amsterdam;

including what he wrote in the museum's guest book.

At the end of his time at the museum, Bieber penned the idea that he hoped if Anne Frank had been alive she "would have been a Belieber." No, that's not a misspelling on my part. Bieber's fans are called Beliebers."

But this devotion is not about two teenagers. It's about how people have responded to what Justin Bieber wrote at the museum.

Some people were slightly upset with the young man, while others were outraged, scandalized, horrified, disgusted, disappointed, dismayed and appalled. The common thinking was what an ego! How dare he think of himself at such a time and place?

That's the way most people felt -- most -- but not everybody.

A spokeswoman for the museum, a Ms. Mostart, defended Mr. Bieber. She told the BBC, "He's 19. It's a crazy life he's living. He didn't mean bad ... and also it's nice that he made the effort, he didn't have to come."

I don't know if Ms. Mostart is a Christian, but she sure was following James' advice about being quick to hear and slow to speak out in anger. As Luther said, she had put the "best construction on everything."

Over the years I've found that some sins are easier to deal with than others. For me (and for many), saying things about others in the kindest way does not come easily. Without waiting to investigate the facts, without giving the benefit of the doubt, without ever bothering to consider if I have anything positive to say, my tongue gets engaged, and I start spewing out seemingly endless streams of critical commentary.

That is hardly the kind of thing that benefits my neighbor or gives glory to my Redeemer.

This is why I would encourage you -- you who probably no longer are a teenager -- to use your tongue to honor the Redeemer on Monday through Saturday as wonderfully well as you do on Sunday. I know I'll try too.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, through the week may the words of my mouth and the mediation of my heart be acceptable to You. In Jesus I ask it. Amen.
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WEDNESDAY'S QUIZ: In Psalm 95, what do Meribah and Massah mean?

The place where Moses brought water out of the rock of Horeb, he named Massah and Meribah. Because the Israelites quarreled and tested the Lord. (Good job Pam!)

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THURSDAY'S QUIZ: What is a "Song of Ascent" in the Psalms?

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CALENDAR:

Thurs- 8th grade questioning and reception 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 QUESTIONING TONIGHT at 7PM and CONFIRMATION THIS SUNDAY AT 11am!!

Come and hear the eight 8th graders talk about all they have learned in confirmation class on Thursday night and then read their essays all about what their Lord and their faith means to them on Sunday morning .

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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.

____________________________________________________________________________________________

MEN'S BREAKFAST ON SATURDAY, APRIL 27 at 8am!!!
I will do the cooking. 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 COMING 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 an 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 Today.

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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Wednesday, April 24, 2013

DEVOTION: (From Lutheran Hour Ministries) April 24, 2013

And (the devil) said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down, for it is written, 'He will command His angels concerning You,' and 'On their hands they will bear You up, lest You strike Your foot against a stone.' Jesus said to him, "Again it is written, 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.'" Matthew 4:6-7

Teenagers can be cool.

At their best they are idealistic and optimistic, eager, energetic and enthusiastic. Just as importantly, life hasn't yet taught them that the impossible can't be done. Oh, one other thing, they also generally believe they are going to live forever.

Now from a theological perspective that last one I listed, the one about living forever, is perfectly sound. Those who have a living faith in Jesus as their Savior will live forever. Forgiven of their sins, justified before their divine Judge, they have been adopted into the family of faith and will live forever with their Lord in heaven.

Yes, from that point of view the idea of living forever is a good thing. But it is a bad thing when a teen, or anyone, thinks they can defy temporal death indefinitely.

Nobody has that ability.

Case in point: Austin Price was a 15-year-old sophomore at San Lorenzo High School in California. A week or so ago Price was playing "chicken" with some friends near the train tracks that go by their school. The winner of the game was the person who could come closest to an oncoming train without being hit, hurt, crippled or killed.

Austin Price didn't win the game. When his friends moved out of the locomotive's way, he didn't. It was a brave, bold move on his part. It was also a decision that ended up with him being killed by a northbound Amtrak train. Let me ask, having heard Price's story are you thinking thank heaven I've grown out of such foolishness.

I hope so, but I'm not sure.

Yesterday Pam and I drove from Minnesota to Texas. During the course of that 900-plus-mile trip we saw some people weaving in and out of traffic, while others pulled out in front of fully loaded semi-trucks. We saw someone wend his way past the railroad closing guards, a few who blew through red lights, and others who tried to blast their way across eight lanes of traffic.

And although these people weren't teens, they were still driving like they thought they would never die. They were also tempting fate, other drivers, and God Himself, which -- according to Jesus' words and example -- is something we are not supposed to do.

Jesus came into this world so people might have life and have it abundantly (see John 10:10). Each day lived in Him is a precious gift and needs to be cherished. Each day's time is given to glorify Him and not "put the Lord Your God to the test" (see Deuteronomy 6:16).

This is just my way of saying, when you're driving or doing anything else, don't play chicken with death.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, may I, in everything I do, give thanks for the time You have given to me. While death will someday come, do not let me hasten its arrival by doing that which is foolish and foolhardy. In Jesus' Name I ask it. Amen.
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TUESDAY'S QUIZ: Who was Psalm 77 written for? It was written for the director of music and for Jeduthun (Good try Pam and Dianne)

______________________________________________________________________________________________

WEDNESDAY'S QUIZ: In Psalm 95, what do Meribah and Massah mean?

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

CALENDAR:

Thurs- 8th grade questioning and reception 7pm

8th GRADE QUESTIONING TOMORROW (Thursday) NIGHT at 7PM and CONFIRMATION THIS SUNDAY AT 11am!!

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

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.

____________________________________________________________________________________________

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 COMING 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!!!

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

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).

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

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.

____________________________________________________________________________________________

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!!!
___________________________________________________________________________________________
NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER BREAKFAST AND SERVICE NEXT THURSDAY, MAY 2!!!!

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!!!