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).
"Rest in Peace ... Really!"
May 1, 2014
(Jesus said) "Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life." Revelation 2:10
William Hahn, Jr. lived from 1905 to 1980. His tombstone reads, "I told you I was sick." The stone which sits over the deceased talk-show host, Merv Griffin, says, "I will not be back after this message," and the gravestone over Mohammed Said al-Sahal affirms, "I am not really dead. Do not believe those American lies."
Of course, the shortest obituary I have ever read was composed by Swedish native Stig Kernell. Before he died at the age of 92, Kernell had given strict instructions to his funeral home. They were to send his obituary to the papers without making any changes. When he died, the morticians made good on their promise and, sure enough, in the two local papers, under his name on the obituary page, it read, "I AM DEAD."
That's it, three words: "I AM DEAD."
Well, the media got hold of the unusual death notice and began contacting Kernell's two sons. Eventually, his boys got together and wrote a more traditional announcement. This they did because they didn't want anybody to think there had been bad blood between them and their dead dad.
One of them explained, "The short obituary is reflective of our father's sense of humor." He continued, "It has helped us to cope with the loss of him, in that he was not at all scared of death."
Scripture tells everyone who believes in Jesus as their Savior that they can share Kernell's lack of fear when it comes to dying. When an unbeliever has to regard death as a step into the "great unknown," Christians know their Savior has prepared a place for His forgiven followers in heaven. Believers of Islam must concede that Allah is not bound by any rules, and he will do what he is going to do. There's not much comfort there. Other major faiths tell their adherents that since they may not have done enough good in this life to balance the scales of justice, they may be repeating life until they get it right.
Only Christianity lays down the comforting truth: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved" (see Acts 16:31).
But there's more. Believers in the risen Redeemer can appreciate the words of Revelation that tell us not to be afraid of persecution or death because those who remain faithful will receive a "crown of life."
It's good to know. After all, the day is coming when a memorial stone will be put above each of us. When that day comes, may those who are left behind be comforted by the knowledge that, for us, death was only the gateway to eternal life with our Savior.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, as a sinful human being, I am unable to see what is going to happen in the future. Even so, as a forgiven follower of the Christ, I am sure the approach of death cannot fill me with fear and trembling. For this transformation brought about by Jesus, may I always give thanks. In the Savior's Name I ask it. 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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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ
Was Rehoboam king over Israel or Judah? Israel to start, but then the other tribes broke away from him and he was left with Judah and Jerusalem.
_______________________________________________________________________
TODAY'S QUIZ: What did Jeroboam set up in Bethel and Dan for the Israelites to worship?___________________________________________________________________________________
CALENDAR:
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).
"Rest in Peace ... Really!"
May 1, 2014
(Jesus said) "Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life." Revelation 2:10William Hahn, Jr. lived from 1905 to 1980. His tombstone reads, "I told you I was sick." The stone which sits over the deceased talk-show host, Merv Griffin, says, "I will not be back after this message," and the gravestone over Mohammed Said al-Sahal affirms, "I am not really dead. Do not believe those American lies."
Of course, the shortest obituary I have ever read was composed by Swedish native Stig Kernell. Before he died at the age of 92, Kernell had given strict instructions to his funeral home. They were to send his obituary to the papers without making any changes. When he died, the morticians made good on their promise and, sure enough, in the two local papers, under his name on the obituary page, it read, "I AM DEAD."
That's it, three words: "I AM DEAD."
Well, the media got hold of the unusual death notice and began contacting Kernell's two sons. Eventually, his boys got together and wrote a more traditional announcement. This they did because they didn't want anybody to think there had been bad blood between them and their dead dad.
One of them explained, "The short obituary is reflective of our father's sense of humor." He continued, "It has helped us to cope with the loss of him, in that he was not at all scared of death."
Scripture tells everyone who believes in Jesus as their Savior that they can share Kernell's lack of fear when it comes to dying. When an unbeliever has to regard death as a step into the "great unknown," Christians know their Savior has prepared a place for His forgiven followers in heaven. Believers of Islam must concede that Allah is not bound by any rules, and he will do what he is going to do. There's not much comfort there. Other major faiths tell their adherents that since they may not have done enough good in this life to balance the scales of justice, they may be repeating life until they get it right.
Only Christianity lays down the comforting truth: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved" (see Acts 16:31).
But there's more. Believers in the risen Redeemer can appreciate the words of Revelation that tell us not to be afraid of persecution or death because those who remain faithful will receive a "crown of life."
It's good to know. After all, the day is coming when a memorial stone will be put above each of us. When that day comes, may those who are left behind be comforted by the knowledge that, for us, death was only the gateway to eternal life with our Savior.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, as a sinful human being, I am unable to see what is going to happen in the future. Even so, as a forgiven follower of the Christ, I am sure the approach of death cannot fill me with fear and trembling. For this transformation brought about by Jesus, may I always give thanks. In the Savior's Name I ask it. 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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___________________________________________________________________________________________________
YESTERDAY'S QUIZ
Was Rehoboam king over Israel or Judah? Israel to start, but then the other tribes broke away from him and he was left with Judah and Jerusalem.
_______________________________________________________________________
TODAY'S QUIZ: What did Jeroboam set up in Bethel and Dan for the Israelites to worship?___________________________________________________________________________________
CALENDAR:
Fri- Set up for Saturday's sales
Sat- Flea Market opens 7-1; Vendor Fair, Bake Sale, and Luncheon 9-3; Bible study 4pm; worship 5pm; 3 year old Little Lamb's program 6:30pm
Sun- Worship 8:30; Sunday school and Bible Study 9:45; 4 year old LL program 5pm
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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS WEEK
Acolytes- 8:30- George Pezold 11- Leah Vossen
Altar guild- Set up- Ruth Walters; Clean Up- Sandy Robine
Greeters- 8:30- Sharon Spoede 11- Tom and Pam Linke
Communion Assistants- Sat- Charlie Figura; 8:30- Don Turnure; 11- Steve Robine
Lay Readers- Sat- Lynn Figura; 8:30- Jennifer Figura; 11am- Kailyn Blechle
8:30 Ushers- Alan Hofeldt, Tim Linke, Rich Talbert, Don Turnure
Projectors- Sat- Pam Bueltmann, 8:30- ???, 11- Siera Jaeger
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NEWS:VENDOR FAIR AND TAILGATE SALE AND LADIES AID LUNCHEON AND BAKE SALE SATURDAY, MAY 3, 7am-3pmTAILGATE SALE/FLEA MARKET BEGINS AT 7am and goes to 1pm!!VENDOR FAIR, LUNCHEON, AND BAKE SALE 9am-3pm
There are still tailgate spaces available for $10, but all of the inside selling tables are reserved.________________________________________________________________________________________________________A SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER BREAKFAST AND SERVICE TODAYEspecially the following:Sandy Robine and her husband Steve for preparing the overflow and the breakfast as well as all of the publicity materialsPeggy Williams from Friedens UCC for playing the organAll who donated foodAll who woke up early and participated in the serviceThe LORD GOD HIMSELF without whom none of it would even be possible.__________________________________________________________________________________FALL MEN'S RETREAT IS SETWHEN: Friday- Sunday SEPT. 26-28WHERE: Mark Twain Lake at Si Colburn Group CampWHAT: The theme is "Amazing Grace"HOW MUCH: $45 for registration, housing, food, and attendance prizes; $30 for golf, $15 if you want to stay up there Thursday night; everything else on your ownAccommodations: Group cabins, (if you are a light sleeper you may want ear plugs or you may want to bring your camper/tent), You can also rent a room at the hotel in town about 5 miles away.Please let me know of your desire to attend.
_______________________________________________________________________________________TRUSTEES HAVE SCHEDULED A WORK DAY FOR SATURDAY, MAY 17!!!List of projects:1. finishing trim on front door2. Fixing partition between overflow and sanctuary3. Addressing drainage issues4. Painting5. OtherThey have also established a volunteer list. Id you wish to tackle a project at another time, see the list posted on the bulletin board across from church office.________________________________________________________________________T-SHIRTS FOR SALE!!!Wonderful blaze orange t-shirts are for sale for $10 a piece to help support our board of outreach and evangelism's efforts and to raise money to provide for those in need. Pick up your size today and put your $10 in the box provided!!! They are located in the narthex (entry way) of church upstairs.___________________________________________________________________________THE STORY: CHAPTER 14 "A Kingdom Torn in Two" IS THIS WEEK!!!We are back at it and won't have another break for quite some time so get to reading and studying!! Read it and learn about how King Rehoboam, because of his harshness and wickedness against the people, caused a civil war and caused the kingdom to be split in two._____________________________________________________________________________________________________
JUST A FEW SPACES LEFT IN THE THREE YEAR OLD LITTLE LAMBS CLASS FOR NEXT YEAR!!The four year old class is full and there is a waiting list that people can get on if they wish.The three year old class still has several spaces available. If you know of someone or you would like to get your own child in to this class please call the church office asap!!!
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TWO GROUP TRAVEL EVENTS COMING UP THIS YEAR!!
October 4--A DAY IN ST. LOUIS-- We will tour places that are hidden gems in St. Louis
December 6-- CATHOLIC RECTORY IN HERMANN AND POSSIBLY A CHRISTMAS SHOW IN OSAGE BEACH
Let Marilyn know if you are interested in either of these trip so she can make definite plans.
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PASTOR NEEDS SPONSORS FOR HIS BIKE ACROSS KANSAS!!
I will be biking across part of Kansas, about 220 miles in all, on June 7-9 to raise money for Leadachild.org. Lead a Child is a LCMS recognized service organization that provides funding for kids to attend schools, many of them Christian schools, in third world countries. It has provided A LOT for ministries and missions to help kids who would otherwise have NO EDUCATION in places like Guatemala, Kenya, Uganda, Mexico, and many other places. Please consider supporting me so that we can continue to support children throughout the world! As of January 1, I am also on the board of directors for this organization.
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PRAYER REQUESTS: (If you have a prayer request please reply to this email or call me at 636-359-1061)For EMOGENE FRYANT, friend of Marv and Molly Hendershot, who has been place on hospice care.For PASTOR as he travels to Concordia University in Seward, NE Thurs-Sat.For ALL OF OUR SEMINARIANS WHO WERE PLACED IN VICARAGES AND FIRST CALLS ON TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY, that God would bless them with fruitful ministry and peace. Especially for Harrison & Stacy Parker going to Anchorage, Alaska AND Jacob & Alexandra Wampfler going to Topeka, KS. These are friends and tenants of the Robines.For CHERI VERME, daughter of Lil WInter, who is suffering from severe osteoporosis and has a cracked pelvis (all the way across her pelvis) because of it.For our 8th GRADERS WHO WERE CONFIRMED Sunday that they continue to grow in the faith they have confirmed!For FRAN WAGNER, a good friend of Sandy Robine, who has been placed on hospice care.For TRICIA MEYER, who is dealing with ovarian cancer. She is a friend of many in our congregation.For KELSEY OVERBECK as she finishes up her schooling at Concordia, Seward and moves to Warrenton to become our DCE intern.
THOSE WITH CANCER, especially RICK SPINIOLAS, and the many others among our family and friends who are struggling with cancer.
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