St. John's Lutheran ChurchWarrenton, MO

Prayer request for Ben Frick

Please pray for Ben Frick as he has been placed on hospice care. He has cancer in his esophagus and it has spread to other places. Pray that the Lord will give him mercy and peace during these final days of his life.

Prayer request from Sandy Robine

"Prayer Request Please! For Debbie Groerich who is VERY CLOSE to going home with Jesus at this time. Debbie has been battling cancer the past couple years. She was a former member (teacher & organist) at Salem Lutheran Church in Affton. Since leaving Salem, Debbie has been a member and teaching at St. Paul's Lutheran in Des Peres, MO. Please pray for her and her family - husband Dan and sons Jason & Adam, her mother, her sister Janet Ehrhardt-Ebeler, her brother Rick Ehrhardt and her entire family. They are a wonderful and fun family who are very close. The good thing is that the entire family loves Jesus Christ. Thank you for your prayers for all of them at this time."

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

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).

"God's Name"
May 28, 2014
(God said) "You shall not take the Name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His Name in vain." Exodus 20:7
The owner of the L.A. Clippers, Donald Sterling, has a big mouth; he also has a foul and prejudiced mouth.

Last month Mr. Sterling made some remarks that were profane and racist. If that were not enough, he gave an interview to CNN, which was racially prejudiced.

Now the National Basketball Association (NBA) has decided Mr. Sterling has damaged its desire to be diverse and inclusive. His language has damaged "the NBA's relationship with its fans; harmed NBA owners, players, and Clippers team personnel; and impaired the NBA's relationship with marketing and merchandising partners, as well as with government and community leaders ...."

Because of his mouth, here are the penalties which are being -- or have been -- proposed for Mr. Sterling:

1. The NBA has given him a $2.5 million fine.

2. He has been banned for life from attendance at the games.

3. Other team owners are being asked to vote and force Mr. Sterling to sell his team.

Apparently, the NBA is pretty serious when it comes to sins of the tongue. It believes a person's words ought to be a positive reflection on the things he is supposed to be supporting and holding dear.

The Lord agrees.

Maybe that's why the Lord, when He was having Moses write down the Ten Commandments, gave a very high position to His Law, which said, "You shall not take the Name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His Name in vain."

Although the Lord doesn't go into detail, it is reasonable to think we would speak honorably and respectfully of the Creator who has given us all we have, the Redeemer who offered and gave His life as the ransom price to save us, and the Comforter who has called and kept us in the saving faith.

Yes, it would be both reasonable and right for us to hold the Lord and His divine Names in high regard, which is why it must pain Him to hear just how often some of God's people use His Names foolishly, frivolously, flippantly and wrongly. The Lord's Names should not be used for punctuation or for calling down divine wrath on any inconsequential inconvenience.

No, as people who have been saved by God's grace, the Savior's sacrifice, and the Holy Spirit's ongoing intervention, we ought always, as Luther said, "to thank and praise to serve and obey Him," which would be, of course, most certainly true.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, the world, not knowing what You have done to try and save them, holds Your Name in disregard. May it be a singular mark of my language that all who hear me will know I am eternally grateful for Your graces and ongoing direction in my life. This I ask in the Savior's Name. Amen.
Pastor Klaus

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: What was Daniel's Babylonian name? Beltashazzar

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TODAY'S QUIZ: Who were the three men thrown into the fiery furnace for not praying to a false god?

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CALENDAR:

Wed- Choir 7pm

Fri- 7-12 grade camp out at Mim Dunn's house Friday, 3pm- Saturday, Noon
Sat- Bible study 4; worship 5
Sun- worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; worship 11
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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS WEEK
Acolytes- 8:30- Emily Brunson 11- Grace Hargrove
Altar guild- Set up- ???; Clean Up-- ???
Greeters- 8:30- Sharon Spoede 11- Charlie and Lynn Figura
Communion Assistants- Sat- Jim Rahn???; 8:30- John Hachtel; 11- Charlie Figura
Lay Readers- Sat- Jim Rahn??; 8:30- Jennifer Figura; 11am- Lynn Figura
8:30 Ushers- George Hoelscher, Gary Hoelscher, Brent Davis, Walt Schirr
Projectors- Sat- Pam Bueltmann, 8:30- Sophie Tinnin, 11- Becca Bettlach
Sat pianist- Molly Hendershot
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NEWS:

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL CAMP OUT THIS FRIDAY, MAY 30!!!

Current 6th graders (those going into 7th grade) through those going into college are invited to join us for a night of camping, with a bonfire, s'mores, swimming, canoeing, and many other adventures.

If your child is younger, he or she may come too, but a parent has to come with him or her!!

Let me know if you are coming and if you have a tent BRING IT!

I will be arriving around 3pm on Friday and we will all be out of there by noon on Saturday.

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KELSEY OVERBECK (OUR DCE INTERN) WILL BE INDUCTED ON SUNDAY, JUNE 22nd!! There will be a potluck at noon to welcome her!

Please sign up on the sheet in the narthex that you will be there and be bringing a dish to share.

______________________________________________________________________________

THE STORY: CHAPTER 18 "Daniel in Exile" IS THIS WEEK!!!

Daniel and the rest of the people of Judah were in captivity for most of their lives. Learn all about how God kept them safe and brought them back to himself even through this time of captivity.

PLEASE KEEP UP WITH YOUR READINGS AND COME TO BIBLE STUDY!! I know it is difficult, but make time! It is very important!

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WHY AM I BIKING ACROSS KANSAS????
I greatly value and appreciate our relationship and want to let you know I have taken on the physical challenge with 23 other riders from LeadaChild and around 800 other bikers, of biking across the state of Kansas to raise awareness and financial support for LeadaChild CCCS.

Pray that I make it. Emoji I will be biking June 11-13, and going about 220 miles, the rest of the group will be biking the whole week and going a total of 550 miles. If you are interested in seeing what and where we will be biking go to: www.bak.org

As you may know, LeadaChild provides Christian education to over 26,000 children in 30 countries. The website is: www.leadachild.org. Would you consider sponsoring my ride by sending in a check directly to CCCS or you can give the money to me and I will get it to the right place. Make checks out to CCCS, 1000 SW 10th Ave., Topeka, KS. 66604.

Any amount will make an impact, but our 23 bikers for LeadaChild CCCS is trying to raise $100,000 and I am trying to raise $25,000. I currently have $5,650 raised toward that goal. A long ways to go however,

With the Lord anything is possible, even a big old lug like me making it across Kansas.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29: 11

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DONUT LIST NEEDS FILLING (pun intended)!!!

Please consider bringing donuts, muffins, or another kind of treat for our fellowship time. Here are the dates:

June 1- Jason and Cora Cluver

June 8- Dave and Linda Callies

June 15-

June 22-

June 29- Jim Rahn

July 6-

July 13-

July 20-

July 27-

Aug 3-

Aug 10-

Aug 17-

Aug 24-

Aug 31-

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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.

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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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PRAYER REQUESTS: (If you have a prayer request please reply to this email or call me at 636-359-1061)

For BEN FRICK, who is hospitalized with pneumonia and a yet unidentified growth on his esophagus.

For RICK SPINIOLAS as he recovers from a fever at home. He was hospitalized this past weekend.

For RON WILLIAMS, recovering from an appendectomy.

For JAXSON WHEELER, recovering from a sickness and fever this past weekend.

For ED KOHRS, who had to have a feeding tube put in so that he would be able to receive enough nourishment.

For EMOGENE FRYANT, friend of Marv and Molly Hendershot, who has been placed on hospice care.

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 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.

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Tuesday, May 27, 2014

DEVOTION: To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds. The Story p.250

When I was a kid I was often in awe of my dad and the gifts and abilities he had.  Still to this day I don't know of anyone who worked harder or longer than my dad. He would get up at 4am to go and do the chores on the farm before he would go to work for the State Hwy Dept. Then he would come home after working for them all day and work on the farm, doing the chores, and whatever else had to be done a lot of times till after dark. His gift was the ability to work hard every day to take care of his family.

Some wouldn't say that's a gift, but it is. It is a gift just lie any other gift. A lot of people don't have the physical capabilities to do such things. For others, like my mom, her gift was being a good mother and caregiver as well as working at another job most of her adult life.

In both my mom and dad's lives these gifts were given to them by God. Just like Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had gifts given to them by God for the good of the people and the furthering of the kingdom, so we all have gifts that God gives to us. It's just a matter of whether we will use them or abuse them, whether we will be lazy with them and let them go to waste or use them to their fullest.

The story of Daniel is a great story to get us to understand what dedication to God is all about. In a way, it is motivation for us to get off our lazy rear ends and serve God with the gifts he has given us.

Don't sell yourself short. God has given you a gift too! He doesn't create us without his gifts. What is your gift? Is it love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, or self control?  Are you good at math, science, literature? Are you good with tools and with your hands? Are you especially compassionate towards God's creatures? Do you like to work hard and do you have the body and mind for it?   Are you gifted in music?

Paul says, "Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all to the glory of God."

Prayer: Lord God, help me to use my gifts to serve you with all that I have. Amen.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________
YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:    Who was the King of Babylon who took the Jews captive? Nebuchadnezzar

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TODAY'S QUIZ: What was Daniel's Babylonian name?

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CALENDAR:

Tues- Quilters 9-2; Bible Study 11:30-12:15

Wed- Choir 7pm

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL CAMP OUT THIS FRIDAY, MAY 30!!!

If your child is younger, he or she may come too, but a parent has to come with him or her!!

Let me know if you are coming and if you have a tent BRING IT!

I will be arriving around 3pm on Friday and we will all be out of there by noon on Saturday.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

KELSEY OVERBECK (OUR DCE INTERN) WILL BE INDUCTED ON SUNDAY, JUNE 22nd!! There will be a potluck at noon to welcome her!

Please sign up on the sheet in the narthex that you will be there and be bringing a dish to share.

______________________________________________________________________________

THE STORY: CHAPTER 18 "Daniel in Exile" IS THIS WEEK!!!

Daniel and the rest of the people of Judah were in captivity for most of their lives. Learn all about how God kept them safe and brought them back to himself even through this time of captivity.

PLEASE KEEP UP WITH YOUR READINGS AND COME TO BIBLE STUDY!! I know it is difficult, but make time! It is very important!

With the Lord anything is possible, even a big old lug like me making it across Kansas.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29: 11

______________________________________________________________________________

DONUT LIST NEEDS FILLING (pun intended)!!!

Please consider bringing donuts, muffins, or another kind of treat for our fellowship time. Here are the dates:

June 1- Jason and Cora Cluver

June 8- Dave and Linda Callies

June 15-

June 22-

June 29- Jim Rahn

July 6-

July 13-

July 20-

July 27-

Aug 3-

Aug 10-

Aug 17-

Aug 24-

Aug 31-

________________________________________________________________________________________________

T-SHIRTS FOR SALE!!!

For BEN FRICK, who is hospitalized with pneumonia and a yet unidentified growth on his esophagus.

For RICK SPINIOLAS as he recovers from a fever at home. He was hospitalized this past weekend.

For RON WILLIAMS, recovering from an appendectomy.

For JAXSON WHEELER, recovering from a sickness and fever this past weekend.

For ED KOHRS, who had to have a feeding tube put in so that he would be able to receive enough nourishment.

For EMOGENE FRYANT, friend of Marv and Molly Hendershot, who has been placed on hospice care.

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 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.

Fwd: The Lutheran Hour: May 25, 2014

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

From: Lutheran Hour Ministries

Date:05/24/2014 9:15 PM (GMT-06:00)

To: revklaus@hotmail.com

Subject: The Lutheran Hour: May 25, 2014

The Lutheran Hour with Rev.Gregory Seltz

Sermon Text for May 25, 2014

"Remembering" #81-38

Presented on The Lutheran Hour on May 25, 2014
By Rev. Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour
Copyright 2014 Lutheran Hour Ministries

Text: Psalms 25:7

Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed! To a world filled with sins and transgressions God's Son came. In that world, as One of us, He won our freedom and forgiveness. May we remember the Lord's love and God's goodness. Grant this, dear Father, to us all. Amen.

In the United States we have set aside tomorrow, May 26th, as Memorial Day. There are two different explanations as to how this day of commemoration began. The first is a bit more romantic. Tradition has its beginning in the south. It tells of how a lady decorated the graves of her two sons who had died as Confederate soldiers. Then, when she was done with that sacred task, she did the same for two other mounds of earth located in a far corner of the cemetery. One of her friends chided her by asking, "And just what do you think you are doing? Those are the graves of two Union soldiers." The woman sighed, kept on working and said, "I know these young men were once the enemy. But I also know, somewhere in the North, a mother, a young wife, are mourning for these boys as much as we do ours." According to tradition the idea of decorating the graves of the fallen began at that moment.

But as I say, there are two versions of Memorial Day's origins. The other version is the official one, the one approved by Congress. This report says the custom of placing flowers on the graves of the war dead began on May 5, 1868. It was in that year General John Logan, then president of the Grand Army of the Republic, declared May 30th would be a day to "decorate with flowers the graves of comrades who had died in defense of their country during the late rebellion." The end of World War I brought a shift in custom as America began to remember all of those who had died in all of our nation's wars. Soon the remembrance included all dead veterans and embraced non-military relatives and friends. With so many families going to the cemetery to place flowers Memorial Day has also become known as Decoration Day.

Memorial Day, Decoration Day, call it what you will, it is a time to remember. You know, all of us want to be remembered. During the Civil War, on the night of June 2, 1864, the Union officers went through their ranks to encourage their men who were going to make a frontal assault against the troops and cannon of Robert E. Lee. As the officers walked among their men, they noticed many soldiers were sewing. Sitting on the grass or under the trees those soldiers were sewing their names on the sleeves of their coats. Why? Those men had every reason to believe they would not survive the coming attack and all wished to avoid the oblivion of a nameless grave. They wanted to be remembered. They wanted someone back home in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, or Minnesota to remember how they had died and where they were buried. If you go to that small cemetery at Cold Harbor today, you will see a 5-foot high marble sarcophagus which was placed to remember 889 Union soldiers who died and could not be identified.

All of us want to be remembered. The Pharaohs of Egypt built great monuments so they would be provided for in the afterlife and so they might be remembered. Today, for those of us who do not have the wealth or resources of an ancient Pharaoh, we erect monuments over the graves of our loved ones. Granite, marble, brass help us remember those who have died before us. Indeed, if you want to be creative in being remembered, I call to your attention an invention which, for a short time, was marketed. The invention was a television-tombstone. Bullet-proof, stainless steel, it sold for about $10,000 and was designed to be embedded in a gravestone. Visitors could press a button and be shown a ten-minute video-obituary of the deceased. Marketers claimed the set would last 500 years. That's a long time to be remembered.

All of us want to be remembered. If we can't be remembered in a positive way, we will settle for just being remembered. When Herod the Great, the killer of Bethlehem's babies, realized he was going to die, he ordered all the respected leaders of Judea to be rounded up and locked in the Hippodrome at the city of Jericho. He commanded that when word came that he had passed away, those men would be slaughtered. Herod's unstable mind figured that if he couldn't be remembered for something good, he would be remembered for something bad. Of course, Herod is the exception. Most of us want to be remembered in a more positive light.

Maybe that is why, if you go to a cemetery and look at the markers, you will find one which assures, "Sleep on, sweet mother and wife, And take thy rest, God called thee home, He thought it best¸" or a marker which is a bit more doubtful: "If there is another world, he lives in bliss. If not another, he made the most of this." Most of us, I assume would prefer to be remembered by a deeper sentiment than that which reads: "Here Lies My Wife, I Bid Her Goodbye. She Rests in Peace, and Now So Do I."

Yes, most of us want to be remembered in a positive light. The soldiers whose graves we visit tomorrow would want to be remembered as having been a patriot, a hero, someone who had been courageous and not cowardly. Regular folk want much the same. They want those who survive them to think well of them. They want the pastor or eulogist at their funeral to recall the good persons they had been. At their funeral or memorial service they want words which are kind and complimentary, flattering and approving. We believe the speaker who is summing up our lives can say anything he wants as long as it's nice and not nasty. Positive words... that's what we want carved into our marker; positive words that's what the preacher should say about us.

All of which takes us to a problem of not inconsequential difficulty. We may want to be remembered as having been kind, caring, and compassionate, loving and loyal, sensitive, smart, and insightful. We may want it, but the truth is we just aren't that good... at least not all the time. Yes, you may have tried to be even-tempered and supportive, but there were times when you weren't. You weren't always loving and caring or any of those other good things. I wasn't either. If we're being honest, really honest, we have to confess we had many flaws and failings, slips and stumbles, shortcomings and sins. You know it, I know it, most of the people who survive us know it.

All of which means if we expect only good to be said about us, somebody is going to have to lie. I can remember, years ago, being asked to speak at the funeral of one of my elderly members, a man who, although not an invalid, claimed to be a shut-in. As I had just been installed at that congregation when he passed away, I didn't know anything about the fellow, so I asked some of my members to describe the dearly departed. Well, I got an earful. The man was not dear to anyone and most folks were glad he had departed. The Ladies Aid of the church no longer called on him because every time they did he made a pass at them. The treasurer told me how the man was a miser who never gave a penny to the Lord's work. A neighbor remembered how he often tried to kick the family cat as well as how nasty and insulting he had been to his saintly wife. A mother shared that the fellow, in spite of her pleadings, simply loved to use foul language in front of her little children. In short, the man was the kind of guy who gives Christianity a bad name. He was a dirty, nasty, old man and I was supposed to preach his funeral sermon.

I remember stepping into the pulpit. In the back of the church were the members of my Ladies Aid who were reluctantly serving a funeral luncheon for the man who had so often insulted them. They had agreed to do so only when one of them suggested they should make it a farewell party because they weren't, at least in this life, going to see him again. In the front of the church was the family who were hoping I could find some way of whitewashing the old rapscallion. Would I lie or tell the truth? The congregation and all who were gathered there that day were waiting to see what kind of pastor I was going to be. They waited to see how I wanted the deceased to be remembered.

While the format of The Lutheran Hour doesn't allow me to share the full content of what I said that day, I can tell you how I began. The message began with a text, a text taken from the 25th Psalm, a Psalm of David. It says: "Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O Lord!" I continued: "If our friend is in heaven today, it is not because he was the nicest man on the face of the planet. He was not as pure as the driven snow; his soul was not whiter than white and his conduct was hardly exemplary. He was not a pillar of this church or this community and he wasn't the kind of friend to whom you would entrust your family or your fortune." The ladies in the back of the church relaxed because they knew I wasn't going to try and make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. The family up front sat a little straighter so they could hear what was coming next.

Over the years it has occurred to me that the pastor who speaks at my funeral might use that same text and might begin the same way. Some time ago I told you of a famous preacher who had a member of his parish stop in his office. After they had talked a while she said, "You know, Reverend, you are probably the best man I have ever met." He replied, "I thank you for saying so, but if you could look within my heart you would be so shocked at the filth you see there, you would spit in my face." You and I are compelled to say the same.

Like King David, think back on the sins of your youth. Did you have siblings? If so, there were times when you were cruel to them, teasing, vengeful, jealous. When you went to school, did you not join in picking on those who were different? And if you were one of those different ones who were being picked on, did you not spend countless hours thinking of how you might exact revenge? We who wish to be remembered in a positive way must confess we are hardly worthy of the honor. Our thoughts have been dark and brooding; our endeavors marked by selfishness and our hearts filled with jealousy.

Yes, I know many of you have conscientiously worked at keeping your sins in check. You have wrestled with the sinful nature within you and you have counted many great victories. But you also know that those victories were short-lived and your thoughts and actions were once again turned to that which was neither pleasing to the Lord nor beneficial to your brothers and sisters. We wanted what was coming to us and more. We demanded to be treated well, even if it meant that others were not. We wanted that to which we were not entitled and we hoped to get that which we had not deserved. Our tongues may have spoken words which were sweet, but our thoughts have been bitter. Yes, the person who speaks at our funeral ought begin, "Lord, do not remember the sins of his youth."

And then he ought to continue with, "and do not remember his transgressions." As we grew and changed, so did our transgressions. Think back upon your promises broken, vows discarded, and good intentions which have gone by the wayside. Although our transgressions didn't decrease we did become more adept at keeping them hidden from the eyes of those around us. They may think of us as being good, righteous, upstanding individuals, but we know better. We know the machinations of our hearts, and the inventive foulness of our minds. We are not good people, and anyone who thinks so really doesn't know us. Yes, our funeral message ought to begin: "Remember not the sins of his youth or his transgressions."

Of course we might wonder, "Why should the Lord NOT remember the sins of our youth or our manifold transgressions?" Why not, indeed? The Lord is perfect while we are anything but. He hates sin, while evil doing is part of our fabric. He is offended by the transgressions we do, the evil we think, the wrongs we relish. No, when it comes to the sins of our youth and our adult transgressions, the Lord, Who at creation, had had such high hopes for us, would be quite justified in punishing us completely, thoroughly, and eternally.

Which is why the second part of David's verse is so important. Knowing that there was nothing in him to get God to forget the great sinner he was, David threw himself on God's mercy as He wrote, "according to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O Lord!" If our hopeless condition is to be changed, if we are to be forgiven, if God is ever going to see us in a positive way, it is not, it never will be because of anything we can do. Our forgiveness will only be brought about by His will, His plan, and His action.

Which is why today, as we remember those who have fought to win and preserve our earthly freedom, we also remember Him who lived and died to win our eternal liberty. It is right we remember God's Son, our Savior. In the Person of Jesus Christ, God came to earth to reconcile us to Himself. Jesus' job was to rebuild the bridge between heaven and earth, between Creator and creation which our sins had so thoroughly and effectively demolished. This Jesus did by offering Himself as our Substitute. True God so He could fulfill the law perfectly and successfully resist temptation; He was also true Man so He could, as One of us, live on our behalf and receive the punishment which should have been ours.

Jesus, in His life, His suffering, His death and resurrection is God's righteousness come to earth. In Jesus' sacrifice we see this eternal love of God which saves that which was lost, which loves us who are unlovable. In Jesus our transgressions and sins are countered and conquered by God's great goodness. With faith in Jesus as our heaven-sent Savior, our sins are paid for, pardoned, and put away. Because of Jesus, when the Lord looks at us on Judgment Day, we will be seen as the perfect souls God had intended us to be at creation.

Tomorrow we remember those who died to win us earthly freedom. It is right we do so. But it is also right for us to continuously remember Him Who lived and died for our eternal forgiveness. On the 17th of December in 1927, the American submarine S-4 was returning to the surface. As she did so, she was struck and sunk by the Coast Guard destroyer: Paulding. Heroic measures were employed to save the six known survivors who were trapped in the forward torpedo room. As time was running out, one of the rescue divers put his head to the hull of the sub. He heard someone inside tapping out the message: "Is there any hope?" There was no hope and those men perished.

I give thanks their end need not be yours. Gladly, eagerly I tell you; you have hope. You have youthful sins and adult transgressions, but, in Jesus, you also have the steadfast love and saving goodness of God. Remember Him and have hope. Trust in Him and be saved.

And if we can help you in that remembering, please, don't hold back. Call us at The Lutheran Hour. Amen.

LUTHERAN HOUR MAILBOX (Questions & Answers) for May 25, 2014
Topic: Preaching About Pet Sins

ANNOUNCER: It's the last Sunday of the month. Once again we welcome our Speaker Emeritus, Pastor Ken Klaus. I'm Mark Eischer.

KLAUS: Hi, Mark.

ANNOUNCER: Do you and Pam have any house pets?

KLAUS: Yes, we have a golden doodle named Gabbie.

ANNOUNCER: You and I are both old enough to remember when there were such things as pet rocks.

KLAUS: I remember them. Pet rocks. The ultimate in low-maintenance companionship.

ANNOUNCER: Not too much cleaning up after a pet rock.

KLAUS: That was the idea, Mark. A California marketing man named Gary Dahl invented the pet rock after he heard his friends complain about caring for their livelier house pets. And, pray tell, what does this have to do with our question for today?

ANNOUNCER: Well, we're not talking about pet rocks. Our listener says his pastor has certain pet sins that he preaches about, to the exclusion of all else. For example, he's always going on about adultery and homosexuality, but he doesn't say anything at all about the other nine Commandments God gave us. In our listener's opinion, if a pastor is going to condemn one sin he ought to condemn all sins equally. He shouldn't just harp on these one or two things that seem to rattle his cage.

KLAUS: Wow. Good question. Sadly, I'm probably going to give a bad answer.

ANNOUNCER: How do you know that?

KLAUS: Well, because my answer is not going to please everyone. No matter what I say, it's going to offend people. So, let's begin. Let's talk about a pastor's pet sins.

ANNOUNCER: Pastor's pet sins, that sounds strange.

KLAUS: Generally speaking, it's not so much that the pastor himself is guilty of pet sins. Rather, I mean his preaching is dominated and shaped by those sins which seem to be committed most often.

ANNOUNCER: Like, there might be certain sins that go in and out of popularity.

KLAUS: Absolutely. For example, in the course of my ministry, I have never had to preach about my church members eating meat which has been sacrificed to idols.

ANNOUNCER: Although that was a big deal in the early church.

KLAUS: It was. But, as far as I am aware, none of my congregation members have ever committed that particular sin. For that reason, it never appeared on my radar or in my sermon messages.

ANNOUNCER: But how about speaking about some sins to the extent that you totally ignore others?

KLAUS: That does happen and it's unfortunate. Part of the reason for that is pastors want their messages to be relevant. If a particular sin is in the news, they will speak to it. If it's a matter of community debate or appears on an election ballot, they might address it.

ANNOUNCER: And could you be more specific?

KLAUS: In the Victorian era, people were preoccupied with death but had little concern about sexual matters. Today, our culture is shaped more by sexual sins than by fear of death. Quite naturally, the pastor may end up speaking about that aspect of morality.

ANNOUNCER: But to the extent that he avoids talking about other violations of God's law?

KLAUS: Absolutely not. Keeping the Triune God first in your life, honoring His Name, not abusing it, remembering to worship Him; all of that should be part of his messages because those things are all important to the Lord.

ANNOUNCER: How about sins like murder, envy, or bearing false witness?

KLAUS: There is a time and place for all of that. Now I would hope few of his parishioners have actually committed murder, but they most certainly have not loved others as they should. Envy is a common enough sin and not speaking well of our neighbor is wide spread.

ANNOUNCER: So you are saying God's law has a definite place in a pastor's messages.

KLAUS: It does.

ANNOUNCER: Could you cite a Bible passage that supports what we're talking about?

KLAUS: Absolutely. In the New Testament, John the Baptist preached repentances, change in attitude, reversal of what you are doing. Luke 5, Jesus says He had come to call sinners to repentance. In the 24th chapter of that same Gospel, Jesus told His followers to preach repentance and forgiveness of sins through the entire world. In Matthew 4 it says, "From that time on Jesus began to preach saying, "Repent, the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

ANNOUNCER: But I thought Jesus freed us from observing the law.

KLAUS: Jesus fulfilled the law for us, that's right. For believers, their sins are absolved. They are now free to live lives that show their gratitude to the Savior. They can do that by doing those things that please God and by avoiding sin of any kind. Not because they have to, but because it's a natural response to the grace God has shown them in Christ--and they could not do otherwise.

ANNOUNCER: Thank you, Pastor Klaus. 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, for Thy Tender Mercy's Sake" Richard Farrant / John Hilton. (©1955 Novello & Company, Ltd.)

"Grant Peace, We Pray, in Mercy, Lord" From The Concordia Organist (© 2009 Concordia Publishing House)

"Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word" From The Concordia Organist (© 2009 Concordia Publishing House)

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What CCCS/Leadachild does-- Children praying for children in South Africa

Please read this and prepare to be moved by God!

Like us if you will pray for the children & countries LeadaChild CCCS serves.

Being a part of LeadaChild, there are many opportunities to connect with people in other parts of the world. However, there are fewer moments to see into the lives of the students we touch. We recently received a report from our education site in South Africa. In it was a letter from the teacher of five-year-old Nomonde Shabalala. She is an orphan and being raised by a caretaker. She had no money for school, but received a scholarship when she was three. Since then, she has changed from a shy, quiet girl who would not even interact with other children to a little girl who sings and dances, plays and prays.

Her teacher told us, "You are changing the world. You are bringing back dignity through your support to those who...don't have the funds to learn."

What a blessing to be able to make such a direct impact on the life of a child! Other funds to South Africa allowed for simple things- Bibles for each child and a trip to the zoo so the kids could see the animals they were learning about in class. Please be prayerful about your support for LeadaChild- it is at work everyday around the world.

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Thursday, May 22, 2014

DEVOTION: "The word of the Lord came to me saying, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations. The Story 237

Here, as in so many other places in Scripture, God is reminding Ezekiel, and for that matter us, that He is the one who made us. He formed us. From the beginning of time and even before it, even before we were a twinkling in our mother's eye, He KNEW US!

If there is anyone who knows us better than we know ourselves it is God. He knows everything there is or will ever be to know about us, and He still loves us!

I know, for myself, that there are so many times during the day when I think I am in control of my life. I think to myself that if just do this or that or fix this or that, or stop doing this or that, everything will be fine. Then another trouble comes up or another sin gets committed and I realize that everything isn't fine, in fact nothing is fine apart from Christ.

God knew us. He knew we would sin. He knew that sin cannot go unpunished. He knew that there was a need for a Savior or that we would die forever. He loved us too much for that to happen so He sent His Son in our place.

Realize how much God know you today and act in accordance! Fall down on your face like Ezekiel did in the presence of Almighty God and confess your sins, acknowledging His Lordship in your life!

Prayer: Lord God, help me to realize that you are right here with me and you know EVERYTHING about me and still love me. Amen.

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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: Who was the last king of Judah before they went into captivity? Zedekiah

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TODAY'S QUIZ: Who was the King of Babylon who took the Jews captive?

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CALENDAR:

Fri- Newsletter assembly 9am
Sat- Bible study 4; worship 5
Sun- worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; worship 11
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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS WEEK
Acolytes- 8:30- Rebecca Bettlach 11- Kailyn Blechle
Altar guild- Set up- Lucille Luebke; Clean Up-- Cheryl Bettlach and Betty Schirr
Greeters- 8:30- Brett and Amanda Nordwald 11- Mike and Naomi Johnsons
Communion Assistants- Sat- Don Turnure; 8:30- John Hachtel; 11- Steve Robine
Lay Readers- Sat- Marcia Sevier; 8:30- Allan Dreyer; 11am- Steve Robine
8:30 Ushers- Allan Dreyer, Lew Feldkamp, Kent Jacobsmeyer, Paul Klover
Projectors- Sat- Tony and Sandra Perricone, 8:30- Terry Mc Kenzie, 11- Oliver Landwehr
Sat pianist- Barb Dreyer
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NEWS:

SUNDAY'S SERMON

Check it out, especially if you didn't make it to worship Sunday!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2xo0f5CkhE

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KELSEY OVERBECK (OUR DCE INTERN) WILL BE INDUCTED ON SUNDAY, JUNE 22nd!! There will be a potluck at noon to welcome her!

1. Due to much concern about starting on Father's Day her induction and start date has been moved back a week.

2. Please sign up on the sheet in the narthex that you will be there and be bringing a dish to share.

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THE STORY: CHAPTER 17 "The Kingdom's Fall" IS THIS WEEK!!!

Read all about the captivity of Judah by Babylon and see yourself in the people of Judah.

PLEASE KEEP UP WITH YOUR READINGS AND COME TO BIBLE STUDY!! I know it is difficult, but make time! It is very important!

With the Lord anything is possible, even a big old lug like me making it across Kansas.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29: 11

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DONUT LIST NEEDS FILLING (pun intended)!!!

Please consider bringing donuts, muffins, or another kind of treat for our fellowship time. Here are the dates:

May 25- Terry McKenzie

June 1-

June 8- Dave and Linda Callies

June 15-

June 22-

June 29-

July 6-

July 13-

July 20-

July 27-

Aug 3-

Aug 10-

Aug 17-

Aug 24-

Aug 31-

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T-SHIRTS FOR SALE!!!

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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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PRAYER REQUESTS: (If you have a prayer request please reply to this email or call me at 636-359-1061)

For LISA RAUSCH'S MOM, Mrs. Sutor, as she undergoes surgery today.

For CHARLES HARGROVE, Dave's dad, who is in hospital with heart issues.

For ED KOHRS, who is recovering from cancer surgery on his face and mouth. He is at Delmar Gardens in Fenton and is doing very well.

For BEN FRICK, who has also been dealing with pneumonia and weakness for the last two weeks at least.

For EMOGENE FRYANT, friend of Marv and Molly Hendershot, who has been placed on hospice care.

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 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.

THOSE WITH CANCER, especially RICK SPINIOLAS, and the many others among our family and friends who are struggling with cancer.

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

DEVOTION: He did much evil in the eyes of the Lord, arousing His anger. The Story, 231

"I didn't think the Lord got angry...." "I thought anger was bad...."

I have heard people say these things before, as if they never heard of the flood, or Sodom and Gomorrah, or the 185,000 Assyrian soldiers killed in one night by the angel of the Lord.

We need to qualify this. Sometimes anger is bad, if it is unrighteous anger, but anger from God is always righteous, so it is always good. His anger is justified. He is always in the right when his anger is aroused.

Some may wonder why God gets angry so much in the Bible. I tend to wonder the opposite. As I see hundreds of years go by and yet God shows continual patience, I wonder why he isn't continually angry. I wonder why He hasn't destroyed this sinful world already. I even wonder why I am not in terrible eternal pain right now.

Surely, with all of the evil I have committed, I don't deserve to live in God's protection and comfort right now as I do. I most certainly deserve God's eternal wrath and punishment just like Manasseh and the people of Judah during his day. I deserve to have a ring put in my nose and carried off to slavery forever.

Yet, as much as the Lord gets angry, so much more does He show His patience and mercy! He doesn't give us as our sins deserve. he gives us more grace.

Anger is bad when it is from a mind of self righteousness. Anger is evil when you sit as judge over another, thinking that you are somehow better than they. Anger over sin itself is not. The phrase "love the sinner, hate the sin" Is a good rule to follow. Get angry over sin! God did. He hated it so much that He sent Jesus, to destroy its power once and for all. He got so angry about it that he once destroyed the earth with a flood because it had been totally infected by it. He will do the same again on the last day. Don't love this world too much, because one day the world as we know it will be gone and a new earth will come forth, the home of righteousness forever!

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for having patience with me and not dealing with me in Your anger. Thank You for sending Jesus to take care of that sin that You hate so much. Amen.
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: How old was Manasseh when he became king? 12

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TODAY'S QUIZ: Who was the last king of Judah before they went into captivity?

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CALENDAR:

Tues- Quilters 9-2; Bible Study 11:30-12:15

Wed- Ladies Aid noon; Choir 7pm

Fri- Newsletter assembly 9am
Sat- Bible study 4; worship 5
Sun- worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; worship 11
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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS WEEK
Acolytes- 8:30- Rebecca Bettlach 11- Kailyn Blechle
Altar guild- Set up- Lucille Luebke; Clean Up-- Cheryl Bettlach and Betty Schirr
Greeters- 8:30- Brett and Amanda Nordwald 11- Mike and Naomi Johnsons
Communion Assistants- Sat- Don Turnure; 8:30- John Hachtel; 11- Steve Robine
Lay Readers- Sat- Marcia Sevier; 8:30- Allan Dreyer; 11am- Steve Robine
8:30 Ushers- Allan Dreyer, Lew Feldkamp, Kent Jacobsmeyer, Paul Klover
Projectors- Sat- ???????, 8:30- Terry Mc Kenzie, 11- Oliver Landwehr
Sat pianist- Barb Dreyer
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NEWS:

SINCE THERE WAS NO BIBLE STUDY ON SUNDAY THE LAST CHANCE YOU HAVE TO LEARN THE MOST ABOUT CHAPTER 16 IS TODAY FROM 11:30-12:15. Come on down and bring your lunch.

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SUNDAY'S SERMON

Check it out, especially if you didn't make it to worship yesterday!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2xo0f5CkhE