The generosity of St. John's!!

With our door offering collection this weekend we raised $1,075 for Wendell and Mary Roehrs!!!  Thank you all for your caring attitude and generosity!

Mon. Feb 24, 2014

DEVOTION: After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the Lord not what he had done for Israel.   The Story, p. 103
 
How important is it to teach your kids about the Lord?  Just read chapter eight in The Story to find out. 
 
There is no more important thing than to teach your children to know the Lord and His ways, to know His law and His Gospel.  You can teach your kids to work hard, and that is good for some things, but it isn't going to get them to heaven, nor is it going to help them to get through the most difficult times in their lives.  It isn't going to help them deal with the loss of a loved one, to deal with the guilt of a great sin they commit, to have good relationships with their spouse or their children, or just live in God's grace. 
 
When people don't know the Lord or what He has done for us they tend to live lives the way they want to instead of the way God wants them to.  They hurt others and themselves without care, concern, or guilt. 
 
Simply put, when people don't know the Lord or simply forget Him their lives get messed up and they lose hope!
 
Do you want that for your kids or grandkids?  Probably not!  What do you need to do?  Get them to worship and Sunday school, pray for them, do devotions with them, and live your own lives the way God wants you to live them.  Very simple isn't it? 
 
Use chapter eight as your motivation this week!
 
Let us pray:  Help us to help our children and grandchildren know You more and more each day and in so doing help us to know You better ourselves.  Amen.
 
 
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THURSDAY'S QUIZ:  How many men and women were killed at Israel's battle with Ai?  12,000 men and women died in a single day.
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MONDAY'S QUIZ:  What woman was judge of Israel?
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CALENDAR:
Mon- Confirmation 5-6:15
Tues- Quilters 9-2; Bible Study 11:30-12:15;
Wed- Choir 7pm
Fri- Assemble newsletter
Sat- Bible class 4pm; worship 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school (The Story Chapter 8)
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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS COMING WEEKEND
Acolytes- 8:30- Natalie McDowell; 11- Devin Miller
Altar guild- Set up- Don and Dianne Hance; Clean up- Pam Linke
Greeters- 8:30- Rob and Julie Schaumberg; 11- Charlie and Lynn Figura
Communion Assistants- Sat- Rich Boeger; 8:30- Rich Talbert; 11- Charlie Figura
Lay Readers- Sat- Sandra Perricone; 8:30- Alan Hofeldt;  11am- Isabella Linstruth
Sat. Pianist- Barb Dreyer
8:30 Ushers- Charlie, Jason, Caleb, and Colton Figura
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NEWS:
ASH WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5!!!!   Make plans to attend SUPPER at 5:30 and/or Worship at 6:30!!!
 
Our theme is "Forgiveness and Peace in the Psalms"
 
Come for supper!  Our jr and sr hi youth are hosting the dinners!!  All proceeds go to help the youth help others and be witnesses to the world! 
 
Menu:  Fried chicken and all the fixin's on Ash Wednesday!

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THIS WEEK:  THE STORY: CHAPTER 8  "A Few Good Men and Women"
Come to Bible Study on Saturday night at 4pm or Sunday morning at 9:45 to get all your questions answered and to learn more about the time of the Judges and the constant back and forth between faithfulness and falling away. 
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 10 ST. JOHN'S KIDS AND 5 OF THEIR FRIENDS PARTICIPATED IN THE 30 HOUR FAMINE IS THIS WEEKEND!!!
 
If you see the following kids around town or at church tell them you want to donate to the 30 Hour Famine Fundraiser:  Or you can call pastor at 636-359-1061 or stop by church to donate.   ALL MONEY RAISED GOES TO FEED STARVING CHILDREN AND HELP PEOPLE SUSTAIN THEIR OWN WAY OF LIVING THROUGH FARMING, EARNING A LIVING, OR FINDING CLEAN WATER SOURCES!!
Cara Klaustermeier
Isabella Linstruth
Ian Brunson
Emily Brunson
Shawn Jaeger
Siera Jaeger
Sam Johnson
Austin Heitgerd
Kailyn Blechle
Conner Figura
 
Make checks payable to "World Vision"

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DCE PLACEMENT DIRECTOR TO BE HERE THURSDAY NIGHT AND FRIDAY!!
You may be wondering what is going on with that DCE Intern we voted on last year.  The application has been received and now the director of placement from Concordia, Seward, Nebraska will be here to visit with us Thursday night and Friday during the day.  We are drawing closer to the day when we will have more ministry help!
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LITTLE LAMBS ENROLLMENT WILL OPEN FOR ST. JOHN'S MEMBERS AND FAMILIES ON MARCH 1ST!
There is a $30 nonrefundable registration fee.  Students must be 3 or 4 years old by Aug 1.  Enrollment for the community will be gin April 1.  For more info call Lisa Rausch or Karin Klaustermeier.
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HELP FOR PARENTS TO GUIDE THEIR CHILDREN THROUGH THE STORY
A big part of The Story experience is that the whole family grows together in it as each person in the family reads it, you will all literally be on the same page.  yet, it may be hard to get discussion going or to help you get started together.   Are you looking for a way to connect with your kids as they and you read The Story together?  There's help!
 
If you click the link below you will find parent pages for all age groups that you can use to connect with your kids at least once a week.  Whenever your "together" time is, make it productive.  It is a .pdf file of parent pages that goes from lesson one all the way through 31.  Check it out and tell me what you think.  I think they are excellent!! 
https://assets1.mytrainsite.com/501196/the_story_parentpages_weeks1_31.pdf?r=1438

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PRAYER REQUESTS:  (If you have a prayer request please reply to this email or call me at 636-359-1061)
WENDELL AND MARY ANN ROEHRS who lost their home in a fire this past Friday night.
 
THOSE WITH CANCER, the many among our family and friends who are struggling with cancer.

JAYME VESSEL, an "almost" member of St. John's who is due to have a baby girl on the 17th, but it may come sooner due to frequent contractions.

COUGAR CLIFFORD, 15 year old who had an accident playing in the snow on Jan 7 and broke his neck.  He has undergone extensive surgery and is recovering but is still unable to move his legs.  
 
JONAS BORCHERT, grandson of Don Nolte, as he continues to deal with cancer in his lungs.
 
DONNA HEITGERD recovering at Scott and Lani Heitgerd's from a broken hip.
 




 
 

 

Fwd: The Lutheran Hour: February 23, 2014

-------- Original message --------

From: Lutheran Hour Ministries

Date:02/22/2014 9:16 PM (GMT-06:00)

To: revklaus@hotmail.com

Subject: The Lutheran Hour: February 23, 2014

Sermon Text for February 23, 2014   "The Walls, the Moats" #81-25 Presented on The Lutheran Hour on February 23, 2014 By Rev. Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour (God Is A Failure) Copyright 2014 Lutheran Hour Ministries Text: Matthew 28:20 Christ is risen. He is risen, indeed! Jesus lived and died in loneliness so the walls and moats which separate sinners from their heavenly Father might be torn down and filled in. Today the risen Redeemer continues to dispel our loneliness as He keeps His promise, "Behold, I am with you always." God grant we be given faith to believe in Immanuel. Amen.  In 1937, the Nazis arrested, tried, and imprisoned the Lutheran Pastor, Reverend Martin Niemoller. The Pastor was permitted to take into captivity only the clothing he was wearing and his small New Testament. As the heavy iron gates slammed shut behind him, the world-renowned Christian leader reached his hand into that pocket where God's Holy Word was being carried. Facing an unknown future and even the possibility of no future at all, Niemoller ran his fingers over the edges of that precious book. As he did so, he whispered to himself, "Even here I am not alone, for the Lord is with me." Compare that story with the one which was carried some time ago by the United Press. The story told of an old man from New York City. Although the neighbors didn't visit with him that much, they still, very slowly, became aware they hadn't seen him come and go from his apartment during the last few weeks. After a few more days of watching, the neighbors called the police. An officer knocked at the man's door, no answer. Finally the apartment's custodian used his key and let the policeman in. The aged widower was in a coma, close to death. An ambulance raced him to the hospital where the doctors did a thorough examination. They reported their most unusual findings. The old man was starving. That caused some speculation for both the officer and the emergency personnel who agreed the man was hardly penniless. Moreover, there was food in the refrigerator and on the cabinet shelves. No amount of reviewing or rehashing could explain the mystery man's condition. Indeed, an answer had to wait until, a few days later, the man regained consciousness. His physicians asked, "Why? Why have you not eaten? Why have you been doing this to yourself?" His reply was simple, short, succinct. He said, "I didn't eat because I didn't have anyone to eat with." This Lutheran Hour message deals with loneliness. For ten years I have been answering emails and letters from listeners. While those letters have come from young and old, married and single, men and women, loneliness has been the thread which has run through much of that correspondence. Now you may not be able to understand the loneliness of the man I've just described. It's difficult to comprehend the level of distress and depression a person can endure. Still, you may accept my pledge that this man is hardly an isolated incident. Loneliness comes as a dark plague upon people in every generation, in every financial situation. Loneliness is the wall we build to keep ourselves safe and it is the moat others dig around us to keep us confined.  Now those of you younger members of the Lutheran Hour audience may be inclined to think loneliness is an occupational hazard of growing older. You may believe that loneliness naturally happens when a person ages and outlives his family, friends, and contemporaries. Of course, you are right in feeling this way. But I could produce many millions who would agree that loneliness is not limited to nursing homes and prisons. Yes, there are lonely residents in a nursing home, but there are also staff people working there who daily live with loneliness. There is loneliness among those who are shut away in prison, but that same loneliness can also burden the guards and workers at that facility. In truth, loneliness has little to do with a person's chronology or the presence of other people. Loneliness is a state of mind, it is a wall which is built by us and at the same time it is a moat which others dig around us.  Here is an example. A few weeks ago I went out and spoke at a very nice church. The congregation had gone to some lengths to assure a crowd would be present. They had no idea how large a crowd there would be. The planners of the event were shocked to see people show up an hour early. A half-hour before the service began there was no room left in the pews. Fifteen minutes before service, with many people standing in the back of the church, the planners asked me to make a request of those who were already seated. I said this, "Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for being here. There are many more in the back of the building who also want to be here. For that reason I am going to ask you to do a very unLutheran thing. I would like you to squish together. That's right, I would like you to slide closer to the person who is sitting next to you."  You would have thought I was asking them to share a used toothbrush. Most of the folks started looking at their hymnal or worship folder or counting the pipes in the organ. To them I was talking to someone else. Seeing this mini-rebellion I got particular and began to point. " Let's see," I said, "we've got some room right here in the fourth pew on the left, the sixth and eighth pew on the right. Pews ten and twelve on both sides If you are in one of those pews, please squoosh." Realizing they couldn't escape, the people moved... but they didn't like it and they didn't move any more than they absolutely had to. And the event planners? Well, they had a Goldilocks moment. They had wanted a crowd which wasn't TOO big and wasn't TOO small. No, they wanted a crowd which was JUST RIGHT.  It's not the first time I've seen church people behave in such a way. Look at the way most folks act when they go to Communion, an event which is, by definition, a fellowship thing. When we step up to the Communion rail, we squirm and contort ourselves to avoid touching anybody else. We don't want to invade somebody's personal space. When the minister suggests the worshippers move out of our pews to greet each other in the Name of the Lord, for some it is a painful experience. The best those guys can do is turn to their spouse or children and mumble, "Good morning." It's so sad. We're afraid to be together and we are afraid to be alone. You see, loneliness is a wall which we build around ourselves, a moat which others dig around us.  And if you're not a church person, don't get yourself all smug and self-satisfied. You're not off the hook. Watch what happens when people get on an elevator. The first person goes to the back; when he's joined by a second, they immediately go to separate corners. Individuals three and four also get their very own corner. But anyone who gets on the elevator after that is in a fix. Next time watch what they do. They step on the elevator, their eyes quickly scan the passengers who are already there and they evaluate which of those passengers appears to be most acceptable and least threatening.  Loneliness is a wall we build, a moat which others dig around us. Loneliness is there for the child on the playground who is always picked last to be on a team. Loneliness is the junior-high kid who is forced to get a "practical haircut" for the summer. See if he doesn't look all alone. Observe the 8th grade girl who is not allowed to do, or wear, or have the things "everyone else has." She may be surrounded by other 8th grade girls, but she feels alone. Sit with a teen who is being bullied by classmates on Facebook. The onslaught can be so demoralizing, so unrelenting, so overwhelming that some young folks embrace suicide rather than dealing another day with such devastating loneliness. Watch the married man who is disappointed with his spouse. He was hitched to the most lovely woman in the county, but he has been saddened to find she is not the woman of his dreams. After a few years the only thing they have in common is the electric blanket which keeps them warm at night. Which is okay with her because, quite frankly, she long ago discovered her groom wasn't any Prince Charming.  No matter our race, creed, color, or political disposition loneliness can reach out and throttle us. Watch the face of the mother after the last of her kids have headed off for kindergarten. You stand by her side after she shuts the door and with tears in her eyes wanders around the house which is quiet for the first time in years. Sure, there were times when she had prayed for a little "me" time, for a little peace and quiet, but at that moment the silence is deafening. Stand with a man or woman by the side of an open grave which has been dug to receive the remains of a beloved and life-long helpmeet. That is loneliness. Loneliness is all around. Which explains why many social functions serve liquor. The alcohol flows at parties so revelers might, for a while, knock down the walls of isolation which they have built so others might manage to cross the moat of separation which they have dug around others.  It is to our deep, debilitating, destructive loneliness that Jesus came. Before His birth the Lord instructed that humanity should "call his name Immanuel" (which means, God with us) (Matthew 1:23b). God's Son was with us and dedicated His life to saving us. It was a painful process which meant He was, in ways we cannot begin to understand, permanently isolated and perpetually alone. His family, those who should have been a solid source of support, sometimes thought He was unbalanced. The people of His hometown, His Boyhood friends and neighbors tried to murder Him. His disciples, the ones who walked with Him, heard His teachings, and observed His mighty miracles misunderstood His mission; misinterpreted His words, and then they betrayed, deserted, and denied Him. The crowds which followed Jesus tried to reshape Him into an earthly King rather than letting Him be their soul's Redeemer.  Herod, the ruler of Jesus' nation, tried to get Him to perform like a Las Vegas magician and the priests and scribes, those who were best acquainted with the prophecies concerning the promised Messiah, refused to embrace Him and at the end they were responsible for pushing Him to the cross on Calvary. As Jesus carried our sins to His cross, as He was dying for you and me, the people who passed by His place of execution laughed at Him; the spectators who stayed to watch Him die made mockery of Him and one of the thieves who was crucified next to Him managed to throw out a few taunts of his own. Jesus' loneliness was a terrible thing and hard to bear, but when His Father in heaven turned away, Jesus was truly alone. It was a loneliness He endured so you, and anyone who is brought to faith in Him as Savior, might be forgiven, might be guaranteed eternal life and would know they could never, really, truly be alone. Jesus, Immanuel, God with us, carried our sins and after hours of incredible physical suffering and dark, depressing loneliness, He died. A Roman spear thrust into His heart confirmed what they had observed: Jesus, God's Son, was dead. Quickly, hastily His corpse was placed into a borrowed tomb. So there would be no question that Jesus was dead and was going to stay dead, a guard was placed at that tomb and the entryway was sealed shut. For any other person this would have been the end of the story. But Jesus is not any other Person. He is Immanuel, God with us. He is our Savior, and as our Savior, He did that which only God's Son could do. Three days after He had been buried, Jesus became unburied. That is to say Jesus, a living Jesus, emerged from that grave and, in numerous appearances showed Himself to hundreds of His people.  Then, when there could no longer be a question that He had conquered death, Jesus ascended into heaven. The apostles told how Jesus, Immanuel, was lifted up in front of their eyes and taken from them, taken from us. You know, I'll bet almost every Christian who has ever lived has had a day, a week, a lifetime when He wished Jesus was still physically with him, still around to visibly listen to our problems, our prayers, our petitions. Here to heal our diseases, give us direction in our uncertainty and put His arm around us when we are lonely.  Now this is where the story gets wonderful. Jesus is with us. Not just with one person, one country, one race. He is here with all of us. I know that because He said it was going to be that way. According to the Gospel of Matthew, the last thing Jesus said before He ascended was: "I am with you always, even until the end of the world." Believers should know that even when every friend has forsaken and deserted them, Jesus has not. When a person is tired of going to the cemetery and weary of saying earthly farewells, he can still be confident Jesus will never leave nor forsake him. When all of life seems to have turned sour, believers can be confident, Jesus remains. When death comes to take us on that last, lonely trip from this earth, believers can be confident, even then Jesus will be with us. "I am with you always" are the risen Redeemer's words which knock down the walls of isolation we have built. "I am with you always" is His promise which fills in the moat which others have dug around us to make us isolated and insecure. Because Christ is risen and has promised to be with us always, believers can be assured they will not make death's journey alone. As David assured: "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Immanuel is with me." It is an amazing promise.  And it is at this point I need to stop and speak to some of you believers who are thinking, "Pastor, all you say may be true, but I don't feel Jesus' presence. I still feel lonely." I understand. That's because, far too often, we believers measure God's love and presence by how we are feeling. If we are feeling fine, things are going well and the bills are paid, then God loves us and is with us. But when we're feeling lousy, things are falling apart, and the wolves are howling outside the door, we wonder, "Where has God gone?" My friends, do not assume Jesus has deserted you because You don't feel Him. Do not assume He has stopped loving you because everyone else has. Do not think Jesus has banished you because your employer has fired you. Jesus is with you and you will see Him if you look at Him with eyes of faith.  In World War I, a soldier asked his officer if he might go into "No man's land" that separated the trenches of the warring armies. The private's purpose was to bring in one of his comrades who had been grievously wounded. "You can go," said the officer, "but it's not going to be worth it. Your friend is probably dead, and in going you will be throwing your own life away." The private went. Somehow he managed to get to his comrade, hoist him onto his shoulders, and stagger back to his own line. He just managed to make it back and stumble into the trench with his friend. The officer looked at the private with compassion and then he commented. "I'm sorry, I told you it wasn't going to be worth it. Your friend is dead and you going south yourself." "But, sir, it was worth it," the private whispered. "I know he's dead, but when I got to him, he was still alive and he managed to gasp out: 'I knew you'd come.'"  That story, my friends, is Jesus' story. As we lay lonely, deserted, dying in our sins, Jesus came and gave His life for us. He came so we might be cleansed of our sins and given heaven for all eternity. But He also came so the walls of loneliness we have built around ourselves might be torn down, so the moats which sin, Satan, and the world have dug to keep us from God and each other might be filled in. Such a Savior is Someone you ought to know and trust.  To that end, if we can be of assistance, please call us at The Lutheran Hour. Amen.  LUTHERAN HOUR MAILBOX (Questions & Answers) for February 23, 2014 Topic: God Is A Failure ANNOUNCER: I'm Mark Eischer, here once again with our Speaker Emeritus, Pastor Ken Klaus.  KLAUS: Good to be here. ANNOUNCER: Pastor, today for our Q and A segment we have a rather interesting challenge. It certainly represents a different point of view from what we might be used to.  KLAUS: Assuming that most of our questions come from Christians, I would assume that this one, then, does not. ANNOUNCER: That would be correct; although I'm not exactly sure our listener is even looking for an answer. I think it's more along the lines of, "Here's my point of view. You deal with it!" KLAUS: Then maybe we had better begin! ANNOUNCER: All right. Our listener says, "Why do Christians worship a God who is such an apparent failure? If you read the Bible, you will see the Lord run up a string of impressive failures. Of course, He doesn't admit they're failures. Instead, He blames everything on someone else." KLAUS: I'd say that person is throwing down the gauntlet. Does he do us the favor of listing some of those failures he claims God has made? ANNOUNCER: He does. For example, God failed when Adam and Eve ate from the forbidden fruit and then had to be kicked out of the Garden of Eden. God failed, our listener claims, when sin kept on increasing and God, then, had to destroy the entire world in a flood. God even failed after the flood when humanity got together to build a big tower, deciding they didn't need the Lord and He had to then confuse them by giving them all different languages so they couldn't work together and understand each other." KLAUS: Our listener is on a roll.  ANNOUNCER: Then, of course, there were the lesser failures, such as when God turned Lot's wife into a pillar of salt; or when He punished the Children of Israel for being afraid to go into the Land of Promise. That was a failure; and then when they wandered off and worshiped other gods, another failure. KLAUS: Was he done with his list yet? ANNOUNCER: Almost. Our listener concludes by saying, "In all of these things, the Lord should have known what was going to happen. Then, when it did happen, He became angry at the people and not Himself. Why didn't He just set things up so that these folks wouldn't be tempted to do the wrong thing? If they weren't tempted, they wouldn't sin. If they didn't sin, God wouldn't have gotten angry. And if He hadn't gotten angry, He wouldn't have needed to punish them and everybody could have lived happily ever after." KLAUS: Wow! This guy has thought it all through.  ANNOUNCER: And what will you say in reply?  KLAUS: I would say he's wrong.  ANNOUNCER: Well, we do have time left. Would you care to amplify? KLAUS: Surely. He is wrong because he starts out with a wrong assumption. Our listener believes that God's chief purpose in creating the world, in selecting the people of promise is to make and keep things perfect. If that were the case, humanity's rebellion and error could be laid at His feet and God did fail.  ANNOUNCER: So, if God's real purpose was not to keep us perfect, what was He shooting for? KLAUS: Very simple. Again and again He tells us: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind." That's what the Lord wanted. ANNOUNCER: Okay, explain further.  KLAUS: Okay. When the Lord set Adam and Eve up in the Garden, He wanted them to listen to Him, follow His single instruction; that is not to eat of the forbidden fruit, and love Him as much as He loved them. ANNOUNCER: And couldn't He have made sure that would happen by not putting the forbidden fruit in the Garden in the first place? KLAUS: Well, yes and no. Yes, He could have removed all temptation and forced people to respond to His love.  ANNOUNCER: That wouldn't have been good. KLAUS: Not good at all. Mark, do you remember the man from Cleveland who kidnapped three women and kept them locked away in his house for ten years? ANNOUNCER: Ariel Castro. KLAUS: Yeah, that's the guy. Ariel Castro tried to force those women to love him. He did that by keeping them under lock and key and chain. Would you say that that was a healthy relationship? ANNOUNCER: Absolutely not. Forcing love like that really isn't love at all. It's more like slavery. KLAUS: Good. If God had forced people to love Him, it would not have been love. Instead the Lord kept trying to win us over; kept giving us choices; kept giving us opportunities.  ANNOUNCER: But we were the ones who failed to respond. KLAUS: Yeah, we failed; which is precisely why we needed a Savior to succeed where we had messed up. Jesus did this for us by living, suffering, dying and rising so that all who believe on Him might be saved.  ANNOUNCER: Thank you, Pastor Klaus. And we thank you, the listener, for making this program part of your day. This has been a presentation of Lutheran Hour Ministries. Music Selections for this program: "A Mighty Fortress" arranged by Chris Bergmann. Used by permission. "My Soul, Now Praise Your Maker" arr. Henry Gerike. Used by permission. "In God, My Faithful God" From The Concordia Organist (© 2009 Concordia Publishing House) "Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word" From The Concordia Organist (© 2009 Concordia Publishing House) Print this sermon Sign up for LHM news Daily Devotions Visit lutheranhour.org Change my email Contact Us subscribe / unsubscribe / visit our website 660 Mason Ridge Center Dr. St. Louis, MO 63141 1-800-876-9880

Please help Wendell and Mary Roehrs

Many may know already, but for those who don't, the home of Wendell and Mary Roehrs  burned down last night.  It is a total loss.  They have lost everything they own that was in that house.
 
Wendell and Mary are long time members of St. John's. 
 
In order for St. John's to help them, we are going to have a door offering this evening and tomorrow to help with their immediate needs. 
 
Please give as you are able!!
 
 
Thank you!!
Pastor
 
 

Thurs. Feb 20, 2014

DEVOTION: Then the Lord said to Joshua, "Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."  The Story p. 94
 
The news has been very bad lately.  The last week has seen murders, kidnappings, terrorism, and plain old hate.  The world is full of bad news.  It is very easy to get discouraged.  It is very to give up and say, "What's the use?" 
 
But that isn't what God tells us.  He tells us to keep going, to keep fighting, to keep the faith.  He tells us that we need not get discouraged and think that we are fighting an impossible battle.  The battle is the Lord's after all and He will win it. 
 
You can imagine the impossible odds that Joshua had to face, armies twice as big as his with giants nine feet tall, Jericho with fortified impenetrable walls, and 1.5 million people who seemed constantly disobedient.  Yet God continued to reassure Joshua over and over again and give him victory after victory. 
 
The same reassurance and victory is ours!  All we have to do is say the name of Jesus and Satan will flee from us.  We may fall into temptation from time to time, but the Lord provides the way out through constant repentance and forgiveness.  We may get down and discouraged as we hear all the bad news that so often hits too close to home, but the Lord Jesus has overcome this world and through Him we have and always will overcome it as well. 
 
The victory is the Lord's!  Be encouraged!  Stand firm!  Keep fighting the good fight of faith!  Get to church!  Receive His body and blood!  Hear His Word!  Get Christ's peace!
 
Let us pray:  Lord God help us to rest in Your power, Your forgiveness, and Your truth.  Amen. 
 
 
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WEDNESDAY'S QUIZ: What city did the walls come a tumbling down on? Jericho
 
(Good job Dianne and Sandy!)
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THURSDAY'S QUIZ:  How many men and women were killed at Israel's battle with Ai?
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CALENDAR:
Fri- 30 Hour Famine Begins at 8pm
Sat- Bible class 4pm; worship 5pm; 30 Hr Famine ends at 6pm
Sun- worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school (The Story Chapter 6)
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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS COMING WEEKEND
Acolytes- 8:30- need someone......; 11- Isabella Linstruth
Altar guild- Set up- Cheri' Hofeldt; Clean up- Betty Schirr and Cheryl Bettlach
Greeters- 8:30- Bob Linke; 11- Dan and Lisa Rausch
Communion Assistants- Sat- Don Turnure; 8:30- Randy Sweet
Lay Readers- Sat- Marcia Sevier; Sun- Randy Sweet;  11am- Emily Brunson
Sat. Pianist- Molly Hendershot
8:30 Ushers- Marv Hendershot, Don Luebke, Dave Callies, Don Nolte
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NEWS:
THANK YOU!!!  THANK YOU!!!  THANK YOU!!!
Just wanted to thank the tons of you who came to our steak dinner and auction this past Saturday!! We raised $8,400!!  With the $1500 matching funds from Thrivent it puts us to almost $10,000! 
 
WE HAVE A GREAT BUNCH OF KIDS AND A WONDERFUL GROUP OF PARENTS!!!  The kids will be doing a lot of service, helping out a lot of people and growing a lot in their faith especially when we get our DCE intern! 
 
Thank you parents also for your continued faithfulness in raising up your kids in the Lord!  You are all a great inspiration to me!!
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THE COMFORT DOGS WILL BE AT WARRIOR RIDGE ELEMENTARY THIS FRIDAY (TOMORROW)!
If you don't know who the comfort dogs are go to http://lutheranchurchcharities.org/ and check them out.  These dogs and their handlers are a tremendous blessing from the Lord!!
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THIS WEEK:  THE STORY: CHAPTER 7  "The Battle Begins"
Come to Bible Study on Saturday night at 4pm or Sunday morning at 9:45 to get all your questions answered and to learn more about this very important time in our world history.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
30 HOUR FAMINE IS THIS WEEKEND!!!
From Friday at noon until Saturday at 6pm a group of kids, and maybe an adult or two, will be fasting to raise money for those who have no food.    Just $35 will pay for food for one person for a whole month!  Consider giving to this cause this weekend!  We will have a special door offering for it!  Our goal is to raise $1,000 by Easter! 
 
Anyone can join us.  It is not just for the youth to participate.  If you want to participate in this Famine with us come up to church at 8pm on Friday and hang out with us!!  Let me know if you are coming!!
 
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
GOOD SHEPHERD MORTGAGE IS GETTING PAID OFF!!!
If you weren't at our voter's meeting this past Sunday you missed the vote to pay off our Good Shepherd mortgage!  This will save us over $10,000 this year and over $2,000 in interest.  It will also free up money to reduce our $17,000 deficit on our budget.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DCE PLACEMENT DIRECTOR TO BE HERE NEXT WEEK!!
You may be wondering what is going on with that DCE Intern we voted on last year.  The application has been received and now the director of placement from Concordia, Seward, Nebraska will be here to visit with us next week (specific day is yet to be determined.)  We are drawing closer to the day when we will have more ministry help!
___________________________________________________________________________________________
LITTLE LAMBS ENROLLMENT WILL OPEN FOR ST. JOHN'S MEMBERS AND FAMILIES ON MARCH 1ST!
There is a $30 nonrefundable registration fee.  Students must be 3 or 4 years old by Aug 1.  Enrollment for the community will be gin April 1.  For more info call Lisa Rausch or Karin Klaustermeier.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
HELP FOR PARENTS TO GUIDE THEIR CHILDREN THROUGH THE STORY
A big part of The Story experience is that the whole family grows together in it as each person in the family reads it, you will all literally be on the same page.  yet, it may be hard to get discussion going or to help you get started together.   Are you looking for a way to connect with your kids as they and you read The Story together?  There's help!
 
If you click the link below you will find parent pages for all age groups that you can use to connect with your kids at least once a week.  Whenever your "together" time is, make it productive.  It is a .pdf file of parent pages that goes from lesson one all the way through 31.  Check it out and tell me what you think.  I think they are excellent!! 
https://assets1.mytrainsite.com/501196/the_story_parentpages_weeks1_31.pdf?r=1438

___________________________________________________________________________________________
PRAYER REQUESTS:  (If you have a prayer request please reply to this email or call me at 636-359-1061)
The FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF THOSE KILLED IN JONESBURG this past Friday.
 
THOSE WITH CANCER, the many among our family and friends who are struggling with cancer.
 
MARY AUBUCHON AND FAMILY as they are mourning the loss of her brother Floyd.
 
Sandy Robine's friend Patrice who is recovering from hip replacement surgery.
 
JAYME VESSEL, an "almost" member of St. John's who is due to have a baby girl on the 17th, but it may come sooner due to frequent contractions.

COUGAR CLIFFORD, 15 year old who had an accident playing in the snow on Jan 7 and broke his neck.  He has undergone extensive surgery and is recovering but is still unable to move his legs.   

Terry McKenzie's cousin's sister-in-law who has a bad brain injury.

 

JONAS BORCHERT, grandson of Don Nolte, as he continues to deal with cancer in his lungs.
 
DONNA HEITGERD recovering at Scott and Lani Heitgerd's from a broken hip.
 

 

 

 

 

 
 
         




           

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Wed. Feb 19, 2014

Liked this one today from Lutheran Hour Ministries 
 
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
By Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour

Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin!  Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM). 




"Legacy"
February 19, 2014
These words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. Deuteronomy 6:6-7
Garth Callaghan is battling cancer. This is his second go-around with the disease, and his doctors say he has less than an eight percent chance of living for another five years.

Five years is important to Callaghan.

Five years is important because that's how long it will take for his daughter, Emma, to graduate from high school. When his little girl was in kindergarten, Callaghan started writing messages to his daughter on her lunch napkins. Some time ago Callaghan promised he would continue to keep those precious thoughts and sayings coming.

And, in spite of his future prognosis, it is a promise which he intends to keep.

Callaghan did some investigating and found out his daughter had 826 school days before her graduation. With that figure as his goal, he began to write. As I am composing this devotion, I can tell you he has finished 740 of those brief epistles.

Callaghan says, "At the end of the day, these notes might be the only thing my daughter has left of me."

Callaghan seems like a standup kind of guy. I say that because he is a man who believes in keeping his promises. That alone is a pretty unique quality. Still, there's more to this story than that of a father who believes his word ought to mean something. Callaghan is also to be commended because he has actually spent some time thinking about what is important and what valuable truths he wants his daughter to know.

Among some of those valuable truths are sayings like

* "Dear Emma, Everything in moderation. Except Awesome. You can never have too much Awesome. Love, Dad"

or

* "Do or do not. There is no try." -- Yoda

There is no doubt that those are wonderful bits of wisdom. Still, I hope Callaghan, and every parent, also shares quotes such as these:

* "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16).

* "Walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God ... giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the Kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins" (Colossians 1:10, 12-14).

Yes, it would be good if Callaghan shared such things with his daughter. It would be good if we all did.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, among the many things which I share with others, may Jesus always be first on the list. In the Savior's Name. Amen.
In Christ I remain His servant and yours,


Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour^®
Lutheran Hour Ministries
 

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___________________________________________________________________________________________________
TUESDAY'S QUIZ:  Who took over command of the Israelites after Moses?  Joshua
_________________________________________________________________________________________
WEDNESDAY'S QUIZ: What city did the walls come a tumbling down on?
__________________________________________________________________________
CALENDAR:
Wed- Ladies Aid noon; Choir 7pm; NEWSLETTER DEADLINE
Fri- 30 Hour Famine Begins at 8pm
Sat- Bible class 4pm; worship 5pm; 30 Hr Famine ends at 6pm
Sun- worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school (The Story Chapter 6)
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS COMING WEEKEND
Acolytes- 8:30- need someone......; 11- Isabella Linstruth
Altar guild- Set up- Cheri' Hofeldt; Clean up- Betty Schirr and Cheryl Bettlach
Greeters- 8:30- Bob Linke; 11- Dan and Lisa Rausch
Communion Assistants- Sat- Don Turnure; 8:30- Randy Sweet
Lay Readers- Sat- Marcia Sevier; Sun- Randy Sweet;  11am- Emily Brunson
Sat. Pianist- Molly Hendershot
8:30 Ushers- Marv Hendershot, Don Luebke, Dave Callies, Don Nolte
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
NEWS:

THIS WEEK:  THE STORY: CHAPTER 7  "The Battle Begins"
Come to Bible Study on Saturday night at 4pm or Sunday morning at 9:45 to get all your questions answered and to learn more about this very important time in our world history.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
30 HOUR FAMINE IS THIS WEEKEND!!!
From Friday at noon until Saturday at 6pm a group of kids, and maybe an adult or two, will be fasting to raise money for those who have no food.    Just $35 will pay for food for one person for a whole month!  Consider giving to this cause this weekend!  We will have a special door offering for it!  Our goal is to raise $1,000 by Easter! 
 
Anyone can join us.  It is not just for the youth to participate.  If you want to participate in this Famine with us come up to church at 8pm on Friday and hang out with us!!  Let me know if you are coming!!
 
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
GOOD SHEPHERD MORTGAGE IS GETTING PAID OFF!!!
If you weren't at our voter's meeting this past Sunday you missed the vote to pay off our Good Shepherd mortgage!  This will save us over $10,000 this year and over $2,000 in interest.  It will also free up money to reduce our $17,000 deficit on our budget.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DCE PLACEMENT DIRECTOR TO BE HERE NEXT WEEK!!
You may be wondering what is going on with that DCE Intern we voted on last year.  The application has been received and now the director of placement from Concordia, Seward, Nebraska will be here to visit with us next week (specific day is yet to be determined.)  We are drawing closer to the day when we will have more ministry help!
___________________________________________________________________________________________
LITTLE LAMBS ENROLLMENT WILL OPEN FOR ST. JOHN'S MEMBERS AND FAMILIES ON MARCH 1ST!
There is a $30 nonrefundable registration fee.  Students must be 3 or 4 years old by Aug 1.  Enrollment for the community will be gin April 1.  For more info call Lisa Rausch or Karin Klaustermeier.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
HELP FOR PARENTS TO GUIDE THEIR CHILDREN THROUGH THE STORY
A big part of The Story experience is that the whole family grows together in it as each person in the family reads it, you will all literally be on the same page.  yet, it may be hard to get discussion going or to help you get started together.   Are you looking for a way to connect with your kids as they and you read The Story together?  There's help!
 
If you click the link below you will find parent pages for all age groups that you can use to connect with your kids at least once a week.  Whenever your "together" time is, make it productive.  It is a .pdf file of parent pages that goes from lesson one all the way through 31.  Check it out and tell me what you think.  I think they are excellent!! 
https://assets1.mytrainsite.com/501196/the_story_parentpages_weeks1_31.pdf?r=1438

___________________________________________________________________________________________
PRAYER REQUESTS:  (If you have a prayer request please reply to this email or call me at 636-359-1061)
The FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF THOSE KILLED IN JONESBURG this past Friday.
 
THOSE WITH CANCER, the many among our family and friends who are struggling with cancer.
 
MARY AUBUCHON AND FAMILY as they are mourning the loss of her brother Floyd.
 
Sandy Robine's friend Patrice who is recovering from hip replacement surgery.
 
JAYME VESSEL, an "almost" member of St. John's who is due to have a baby girl on the 17th, but it may come sooner due to frequent contractions.

COUGAR CLIFFORD, 15 year old who had an accident playing in the snow on Jan 7 and broke his neck.  He has undergone extensive surgery and is recovering but is still unable to move his legs.   

Terry McKenzie's cousin's sister-in-law who has a bad brain injury.
 
JONAS BORCHERT, grandson of Don Nolte, as he continues to deal with cancer in his lungs.
 
DONNA HEITGERD recovering at Scott and Lani Heitgerd's from a broken hip.
 

 

 

 

 

 
 
         




           

--
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Tues. Feb 18, 2014

DEVOTION:  "As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you or forsake you.  Be strong and courageous....."  The Story, p. 89
 
How many times a day do you realize that God is right there with you?  Is it something on your mind every part of the day?  Probably not.  You probably don't go around thinking about God sitting right next to you in your car on your way to work.  You probably don't think about him sitting at the dinner table with you.  I'm sure you don't think about him watching over you while you sleep.  BUT YOU SHOULD!
 
The passage above was God speaking to Joshua before he took command of the Israelites after Moses died.  God was reassuring Joshua that it wasn't Joshua going it alone when he would go into battle to defeat the people they needed to defeat and destroy in the land of Canaan.  It was God who was going before him.  It was God who was actually doing the fighting for him. 
 
The same is true for you.  As much as you like to think you are in control of your circumstances, you aren't.  Things can change in an instant and then where are your plans?  Anything could happen, but with God you are always safe.  Even when bad things happen to you, even when the devil seems to get the best of you and you fall into temptation, even when things aren't going alright, you are safe.  Even the worst thing that happens to your body can not touch your soul.  Even the greatest temptation in the world cannot keep you away from Jesus who has saved you.  Even when you have no money, shelter, clothes, or food you are still safe because you still have Jesus. 
 
He is always with you!  He will never leave you or forsake you!  Nothing can separate Him from you! 
 
Let us pray:  Lord God thank you for staying close to me no matter what.  Amen.
 
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
THURSDAY'S QUIZ: Who buried Moses?  God did.  (But no one knows where he is buried.)
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
TUESDAY'S QUIZ:  Who took over command of the Israelites after Moses?
_________________________________________________________________________________________
CALENDAR:
Tues- Quilters 9-2; Bible Study 11:30-12:15
Wed- Ladies Aid noon; Choir 7pm; NEWSLETTER DEADLINE
Fri- 30 Hour Famine Begins at 8pm
Sat- Bible class 4pm; worship 5pm; 30 Hr Famine ends at 6pm
Sun- worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school (The Story Chapter 6)
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS COMING WEEKEND
Acolytes- 8:30- Oliver Landwehr; 11- Isabella Linstruth
Altar guild- Set up- Cheri' Hofeldt; Clean up- Betty Schirr and Cheryl Bettlach
Greeters- 8:30- Bob Linke; 11- Dan and Lisa Rausch
Communion Assistants- Sat- Don Turnure; 8:30- Randy Sweet
Lay Readers- Sat- Marcia Sevier; Sun- Randy Sweet;  11am- Emily Brunson
Sat. Pianist- Molly Hendershot
8:30 Ushers- Marv Hendershot, Don Luebke, Dave Callies, Don Nolte
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
NEWS:

THIS WEEK:  THE STORY: CHAPTER 7  "The Battle Begins"
Come to Bible Study on Saturday night at 4pm or Sunday morning at 9:45 to get all your questions answered and to learn more about this very important time in our world history.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
30 HOUR FAMINE IS THIS WEEKEND!!!
From Friday at noon until Saturday at 6pm a group of kids, and maybe an adult or two, will be fasting to raise money for those who have no food.    Just $35 will pay for food for one person for a whole month!  Consider giving to this cause this weekend!  We will have a special door offering for it!  Our goal is to raise $1,000 by Easter! 
 
Anyone can join us.  It is not just for the youth to participate.  If you want to participate in this Famine with us come up to church at 8pm on Friday and hang out with us!!  Let me know if you are coming!!
 
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
GOOD SHEPHERD MORTGAGE IS GETTING PAID OFF!!!
If you weren't at our voter's meeting this past Sunday you missed the vote to pay off our Good Shepherd mortgage!  This will save us over $10,000 this year and over $2,000 in interest.  It will also free up money to reduce our $17,000 deficit on our budget.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DCE PLACEMENT DIRECTOR TO BE HERE NEXT WEEK!!
You may be wondering what is going on with that DCE Intern we voted on last year.  The application has been received and now the director of placement from Concordia, Seward, Nebraska will be here to visit with us next week (specific day is yet to be determined.)  We are drawing closer to the day when we will have more ministry help!
___________________________________________________________________________________________
LITTLE LAMBS ENROLLMENT WILL OPEN FOR ST. JOHN'S MEMBERS AND FAMILIES ON MARCH 1ST!
There is a $30 nonrefundable registration fee.  Students must be 3 or 4 years old by Aug 1.  Enrollment for the community will be gin April 1.  For more info call Lisa Rausch or Karin Klaustermeier.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
HELP FOR PARENTS TO GUIDE THEIR CHILDREN THROUGH THE STORY
A big part of The Story experience is that the whole family grows together in it as each person in the family reads it, you will all literally be on the same page.  yet, it may be hard to get discussion going or to help you get started together.   Are you looking for a way to connect with your kids as they and you read The Story together?  There's help!
 
If you click the link below you will find parent pages for all age groups that you can use to connect with your kids at least once a week.  Whenever your "together" time is, make it productive.  It is a .pdf file of parent pages that goes from lesson one all the way through 31.  Check it out and tell me what you think.  I think they are excellent!! 
https://assets1.mytrainsite.com/501196/the_story_parentpages_weeks1_31.pdf?r=1438

___________________________________________________________________________________________
PRAYER REQUESTS:  (If you have a prayer request please reply to this email or call me at 636-359-1061)
The FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF THOSE KILLED IN JONESBURG this past Friday.
 
THOSE WITH CANCER, the many among our family and friends who are struggling with cancer.
 
MARY AUBUCHON AND FAMILY as they are mourning the loss of her brother Floyd.
 
Sandy Robine's friend Patrice who is recovering from hip replacement surgery.
 
JAYME VESSEL, an "almost" member of St. John's who is due to have a baby girl on the 17th, but it may come sooner due to frequent contractions.

COUGAR CLIFFORD, 15 year old who had an accident playing in the snow on Jan 7 and broke his neck.  He has undergone extensive surgery and is recovering but is still unable to move his legs.   

Terry McKenzie's cousin's sister-in-law who has a bad brain injury.




 


JONAS BORCHERT, grandson of Don Nolte, as he continues to deal with cancer in his lungs.
 
DONNA HEITGERD recovering at Scott and Lani Heitgerd's from a broken hip.
 

 

 

 

 

 
 
         




           

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "St. John's Group Email" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to stjohnswarrenton+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
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Get up and get to church

Get up and join us for worship at St John's in Warrenton today at 8:30 or 11 when we will be looking at how in the midst of our wandering God is leading and sometimes even carrying us. 

The Lutheran Hour: February 16, 2014

-------- Original message --------

From: Lutheran Hour Ministries

Date:02/15/2014 9:15 PM (GMT-06:00)

To: revklaus@hotmail.com

Subject: The Lutheran Hour: February 16, 2014

Sermon Text for February 16, 2014   "Living in God's Choice" #81-24 Presented on The Lutheran Hour on February 16, 2014 By Rev. Gregory Seltz, Lutheran Hour Speaker (What Is The Church's View About Racism?) Copyright 2014 Lutheran Hour Ministries Text: Deuteronomy 30:15-20 Christ is risen. He is risen indeed; so trust Him, dear friend, when life gets tough. Amen. Use it or lose it. Perhaps you've heard that cliché before. Actually, it's more than a cliché for me right now. It's all too real. Right before Thanksgiving last year, I got in shape and ran a half-marathon with some of you, my friends and listeners; do you remember the "Run With The Rev" race in St. Louis? It was a great day. But, even on the day of that race, I wasn't really in that great a shape, but in decent shape. But guess what, through the holidays, with lots of traveling and speaking engagements, and wonderful potlucks with so many wonderful Lutheran folks around the country; well, I'm back to square one on the training front. If you don't use it, it is true, you can quickly lose it.  Well, in our text it seems to be more like choose it or lose it and it's way more important than something like just getting into shape, or eating right, or fulfilling some New Year's resolution. Moses gets right to the heart of it. He is at the end of his ministry, his leadership of the Old Testament people of God. He's worried about them. He knows how easily they can be distracted to do, to say, to be about things that really don't matter at all, or worse, to do things that could destroy their relationship to God. So he's saying, "I'm setting before you life and death. So do you want to choose life or death, good or evil?" Now, you might be saying, "Come on, Pastor, that's easy, who wouldn't want to choose life?" Well, you would be surprised. The Bible actually says that human beings, because of their sin are spiritually dead to God. They, and that's all of us by nature, we don't want to choose Him, we don't feel we need to choose Him, and even if we want to, we wouldn't; why, because that's what spiritually dead people do. Have you noticed today how more and more people seem to find joy in not choosing to trust or believe in God? The Bible says, "Don't be surprised; people have always been like that!" But God still comes in this word for all; making an invitation to you and me, my friend, for us to be able to have His life! So let me try to paint a picture of this Bible reading today so that you can choose life in His Name, so that you can put His life to use in your life, the life that you've been given by God as a gift. You see, Moses, he was a great prophet in the Old Testament. He was to lead a people who had been chosen by God to reveal His grace to the world; yes, to all people. But, they found themselves enslaved in Egypt, in bondage, threatened with extinction. But, God keeps His promises. He intervened for them, rescued, and delivered them through the parted waters of the Red Sea and set them on a path to freedom so that they could declare to the world the deeds of a God who saves all people, even those who have no power and strength to do so for themselves.  Now, at this time, they are at another water crossing, crossing the Jordan River into that freedom, that liberty to which God had rescued them. They are at the banks of the Jordan River ready to enter into the Promised Land as people who have already been chosen and saved by God.  You see, in Egypt, in slavery, they were trapped, powerless. When they arrived at the banks of the Red Sea, they were on the run, being chased by the powerful armies of Pharaoh, powerless before their captors, helpless now before the drowning waters of the impassable Red Sea, almost as good as dead; and then it happened. It happened. God miraculously rescued them and brought them to this moment in this text.  Now they're standing on the banks of a trickling brook; still dangerous, yes, but crossable, especially as they trust and follow the God who has already saved them. So, Moses is speaking to the people who have been chosen by God, saying, "Choose life" and when he says that, he's saying, "God has crossed the Red Sea for you and brought you to life in Him. Now, cross over into the Promised Land, cross over that Jordan River into the land where you can live that abundant life He redeemed you to live.  That's God's invitation to them; but that's His invitation to you and to me too. God crossed the uncrossable for you so that you and I can be saved and in faith, by the power of His Spirit, you can now follow Him wherever He leads. Choose life.  Let me give you another picture of that. One of the most dangerous rivers in the world is the Congo River or the Zaire River. Even when it is calm, there are predatory fish swimming just below the surface and there are places where the river is so deep, so fast, that crossing it would be suicide. One of those places is called, "The Gates of Hell." The river may be 2900 miles long, but the 75 miles of these waters provide more fear than all the rest combined! So, what would you feel like if you were standing at the bank of the "Gates of Hell" and you had to cross to live? Or, what would you feel like if you were laying there helpless with enemies on your tail and you had to cross it to live? Then imagine the joy if someone suddenly came out of those terrifying waters, lifted you, and carried you over a bridge that only he could build and brought you to safety on the other side.  Well, that's just a glimpse of the cross of Good Friday. Jesus literally crossed the real "Gates of Hell," to rescue you and me, to free us from the slavery to our own sin, the bondage to our own desires and failures, and brought us to the point of real, full life in Him. He crossed the Congo of life for you, now cross the Jordan and live with Him for others. He crossed the uncrossable so that you could step through the waters of new life in Him, with Him. So, don't get too caught up on this choice thing as if your choice makes God act more favorably to you. The most important choice is God's choice for you in His covenant, in His promise of grace. Then as now; God knows what He has in you and me, all of us. He knows that the world naturally is in rebellion to Him. He knows that human hearts are focused on themselves, and not the things that really matter. He knows that when it comes to choice, we choose ourselves every time, even when it means eternal death and separation. But, out of His love, He comes with a message that can still warm your heart; that can overcome your rebellion; that can bring you peace in the middle of your turmoil.  There are just some things that have to be done by the one person who can do it, aren't there? We kind of believe this deep down in our hearts already. The movies that really get us are those movies where that one person does what has to be done so that all might be blessed, right? War movies are like that because in war, things always seem to turn on one person's diligence or one person's faithfulness, one platoon's dedication to duty and honor. If you want to see some examples of that, just watch that HBO special, "Band of Brothers." There are some moments in that series that will make even the most hardened man cry real tears. Even as sinners, we know that it is noble for people to die so that others might live!  But when it comes to the price to be paid for real, abundant, eternal life for sinful, rebellious humanity, even our noblest efforts aren't enough. Choosing death so that rebels might have eternal life, that's not what we do. In fact, we recoil at that notion. But, that's the message of the Scripture for all. The Bible proclaims that absolute, infinite difference of God's loving rescue when it says in Romans 5, "Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." So, choose life? It would be better to say since God has chosen you, since God has paid the price for your forgiveness, life, and salvation, since God has made this life available to you, by the power of His Spirit, trust in Him. Yes, and live that life for all its worth! Like the people in our text chosen by God's covenant promise, people of the promise called Israel; we, too, are being encouraged not just to have faith, but to live life faithfully in God's love and promise, now and forever. They were encouraged to choose good and not evil. And the word for good here includes the notion of both prosperity and salvation - both material and spiritual provisions. That's a lot of good! But, this isn't prosperity theology as if God is some kind of Santa Claus at our beck and call. But, it's also wrong to think that God is somehow stingy, as if He is the One who makes life hard this side of heaven. No, God is an abundant life giver and He promises to be with us, to bless us, to draw us close to Him in all things. We can trust that in worldly abundance or we can trust that in worldly scarcity for He fills His people with good things!  When we choose life in His Name, we are choosing to follow the Lord who has already loved us, just like He loved the people in our text. The Psalmist echoes that material good in Ps. 145:16. He says, "You, Lord, open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing." That's just the kind of God He is. And I know then that it's hard to imagine but even in the face of the fullness of God's grace human beings still are the kind of people who still seem to love everything else but what God teaches and commands. We are a people still stingy with our love, our forgiveness, our labor, our effort, our resources. God doesn't make us pay, but we often make each other pay. Even believers at times, receive God's abundance and then treat each other very poorly. Moses says, "That would indeed be foolish to choose evil in the face of God's goodness for you."  I'm so amazed today when people blame God for the foolish choices that are so rampant in the world. We say that we are pro-choice and yet that euphemistically means killing the innocent and the helpless among us. We say we are for sexual freedom and sexual liberty, but that has spawned diseases, and brokenness, and hopelessness not just for the choosers but for the children who have to live with such choices. We say we are for equality, but as soon as the powerless get in power, the same degradation of others seems to follow.  Moses lays it all before them. He says, "This day I call the heaven and the earth against you as witnesses that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life!" He says, "Don't lay there in your bondage; don't try to choose life on your terms, trust in the One who has done it all for you, and then live the life that He has in store for you too."  God has crossed over the Congo Rivers of our life. We get to cross the Jordan of our fears in faith and hope to live life following the footsteps of the One who always goes with us and goes on before us.  That's why Moses also can say to them and to you and me, "Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. It is not up in heaven.....Nor is it beyond the sea.....No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it." It's too hard for us to choose life on our terms; but, it's not too hard for God who is our life to choose us and then to invite us to live that life by His Spirit. As Moses reminds us, our faithfulness is determined by God's faithfulness. He asks 'who's going to ascend to heaven to bring this to us?" The Bible says, "God Himself in His Loving faithfulness actually descended from heaven all the way to us, in Jesus Christ. As the Bible says, "For [God] chose us in him [that's Christ] before the creation of the world" (Eph. 1:4) and then He sent His Son into our flesh to bring us His blessing and salvation.  Luther's famous Christmas hymn "From Heaven Above To Earth I Come;" it revels in this Biblical teaching as he writes, "Welcome to earth, O noble Guest. Through whom the sinful world is blessed! You came to share my misery that you might share your joy with me."  That's a near word from God, a life-giving word, one available to you and to me right now.  Yes, my friend, as incredible as it sounds, you have the promises of God even more sure today than those Children of Israel and Moses himself. You don't need to cross the Red Sea, because Jesus Christ brings the very blessings of that crossing, indeed, the ultimate blessings of the cross of Calvary, all the way to you in the waters of Holy Baptism in His Name. Do you want to experience the blessings of that Red Sea salvation? Do you want to know the certainty that Christ's saving death was for you? Then let Him splash you with His grace with the water that's connected to His Name. That Word of life that Moses spoke of, it is even more near to you today. When you go to Christ's church, especially of the Lutheran persuasion, you are not going to hear dry sermons about merely being good boys and girls; you are also not going to hear false, empty promise sermons about "living life to its fullness on your terms alone." No, you are going to hear a Word that comes to bring you life, and as believers, you will even come to His Table, His Supper, where you will taste and see that the Lord is good to you personally. Choose that! Choose life! Jesus has crossed the eternal Congo Rivers of Hell itself, so that we can cross through the Jordan Rivers of promise, living life by His Spirit for one another! We can choose life because Jesus, the Life of the World, has chosen us by His cross and resurrection. Jesus said in John 15:16 "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit." Christ chose us. That is good news. But we see here a connection between being chosen and choosing, between being chosen and bearing fruit, between being chosen and obeying God's ways, commandments, statutes, and rules. Now that's choice worth choosing, right? Choose life from the One who made life possible for you again. The same God who breathed life into Adam at creation breathed new life into us, by breathing life into us through His Spirit-filled Word.  And we need that new breath of life in Christ. His Word is literally the oxygen mask of eternal life; I like that. Let's say it again. His Word is literally the oxygen mask of eternal life to those who need it more than just a breath of fresh air, but to those who are gasping for breath who need that oxygen of His forgiveness and grace for life. Read His Word, be baptized into His Name, believe in Jesus Christ, the One who fulfilled the very words of Moses for you, and follow Him to the other side of your Jordan River and live life to His glory, by the power of His Name.  Breathe in His life-giving Word today and choose life. Breathe that breath of life and choose good. Breathe that breath of life and choose blessing for others in your thoughts and prayers. The joy of being chosen produces the joy of choosing life so that others might know the One who saved and redeemed you as His own.  Right after these words, Moses brings some encouragement to those who will live life following the Lord in a rebellious world. He says, "Be strong and courageous. Do not fear......for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you. He will not forsake you." What words of encouragement for them and for us; for God sets before you again life and good and blessing. Choose His life for you. Don't lose it. You can do it because it's been done for you. And the One who chose you is with you. And He will never leave you, never forsake you.  Amen. LUTHERAN HOUR MAILBOX (Questions & Answers) for February 16, 2014 Topic: What Is The Church's View About Racism? ANNOUNCER: Now, Pastor Gregory Seltz responds to questions. I'm Mark Eischer. Today, the question is, "What is the church's view concerning racism?"  SELTZ: What a timely question, Mark. I think it's crucial for the church to be heard about this issue, leading the way in creating an environment of love, acceptance, people who share the same faith in Christ, no matter where we come from, what language we speak, or what color our skin happens to be. ANNOUNCER: And it's a serious issue not only for us in society, but also, I think, in the life of the Church. SELTZ: Right, it is; but we don't take the lead on this because of the world's opinion or even the pressures of our own society. No, we seek to be a people who are open to others because we serve a Savior who died for every person on the planet, for all nations. Remember what Jesus said as He prepared His followers for His ascension into heaven: "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me." He said. "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:18-19 ESV).  ANNOUNCER: And He didn't say make disciples of only a favored few or a certain ethnic group. SELTZ: No. No way, He mandated that the Gospel message is for all nations. Any racism or oppression based on the color of someone's skin is absolutely unbiblical and not Christ-like. It is totally counter to Jesus' love for us and His calling for our lives. ANNOUNCER: The Bible is very clear on this. We read in Colossians, chapter three, "Here there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, or free; but Christ is all, and in all" (Colossians 3:11 ESV).  SELTZ: Wow! Isn't that great? God's Word does not compromise when it comes to treating all people not only fairly, but generously and graciously. In fact, God doesn't treat us fairly, He treats us graciously, loving and forgiving us even though we don't deserve it.  ANNOUNCER: Sadly, we sometimes do the opposite. SELTZ: We do. Even as Christians, we're still weak and broken sinners. It is easy to prejudge, to discriminate, to harbor fearful feelings for people who look different, speak a different language, or do things differently than we do. Even the Apostle Peter himself had problems with this, remember? ANNOUNCER: God confronted Peter with it through a vision. SELTZ: That's right, Acts, chapter ten. Peter was a Jewish man. He believed that Gentiles were unclean and unworthy to receive the forgiveness of sins through faith in Jesus. But God sent Peter a vision of unclean food.  ANNOUNCER: And in that vision God commanded Peter to eat things that were forbidden according to Jewish law.  SELTZ: That's right; and right after that dream messengers from a Gentile leader, Cornelius, came to ask Peter to come to their home. God overcame Peter's false superior attitude, and a humbled Peter went to Cornelius' home and said something that set the pace for the Christian Church for the ages. He said, "Truly I understand now that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him" (Acts 10:34-35 ESV). ANNOUNCER: So Peter understood that God's love for all people meant sometimes putting his feelings, his habits, and his fears to the side. SELTZ: And God's heart, then, is for all people. In 2 Corinthians, chapter five, the Apostle Paul describes this new vantage point we have. He says, "For the love of Christ controls us.... he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him. So, from now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh" (2 Corinthians 5:13-16 ESV). ANNOUNCER: So as Jesus fills us with His love, He also changes the way we look at others and how we treat them. SELTZ: That's right. There's a new life that's been given, that's how we get to live. But I have to be honest. The church, God's people, not always done this very well; and, to be completely honest, we still don't. There are plenty of racial divides still out there. It's been said that Sunday morning is still the most segregated time in our nation.  ANNOUNCER: How can we help the church to become more in line with the Spirit of God? SELTZ: The first thing I would recommend, Mark, is that every one of us falls on his or her knees in prayer, repenting of any hatred of that kind, asking God to make every church a reflection of its community, a unified, loving gathering for all nations and people. We are the people who get to welcome the stranger, the foreigner, as God welcomes us. The second thing I would recommend is action. As God's people, we need to be, by the power of His Spirit, the best at befriending people around us, putting aside the foolishness of racism and shining the love of Christ to those that God gathers in our midst. ANNOUNCER: Thank you, Pastor Seltz. This has been a presentation of Lutheran Hour Ministries. Music Selections for this program: "A Mighty Fortress" arranged by Chris Bergmann. Used by permission. "Lord, 'Tis Not That I Did Choose Thee" (public domain) "The Church's One Foundation" From The Concordia Organist (© 2009 Concordia Publishing House) "Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word" From The Concordia Organist (© 2009 Concordia Publishing House) Print this sermon Sign up for LHM news Daily Devotions Visit lutheranhour.org Change my email Contact Us subscribe / unsubscribe / visit our website 660 Mason Ridge Center Dr. St. Louis, MO 63141 1-800-876-9880