St. John's Lutheran ChurchWarrenton, MO

A copy of The Story left at church

Someone, at least two weeks ago, left their copy of The Story in the basement at church and hasn't claimed it. It is in the office for you to pick up if it is yours.

Thanks,
Pastor

FW: Cedar Lake Cellars White Wine Pairing THIS Friday night 6/27 at 6:00 pm

From Linda Otto (daughter of Hank Schmidt),

I bet there are a few Church friends who would enjoy a relaxing Friday evening at Cedar Lake Cellars, just a few miles down the road!

Is there a better way to spend a Friday evening than with great food and 8 different wines? Reservations are required!

Here is what they are serving:

1^st Course: Jumbo Prawns in a Chipotle Lime butter sauce, with grilled baguette

Paired with Sua Frizzante

Cedar Lake Cellars Pinot Gris

2^nd Course: Field greens salad, with strawberries, pink grapefruit, sweetened pecans dressed with a creamy citrus dressing

Paired with Chateau Bonnet Sauvignon Blanc and

Cedar Lake Cellars Vignoles

3^rd Course: Open flame- grilled, bone-in chicken breast, with a sweetened citrus glace, orange zest, and red pepper as well as a grilled vegetable skewer and chipotle mashed sweet potatoes

Paired with Chateau Ste. Jean Fume Blanc and

Cedar Lake Cellars Chardonnay

4^th Course: Lemon custard tart topped with fresh berries

Paired with Bestitos Moscato and

Cedar Lake Cellars Sparkling Almond Wine

RSVP to Gina or Michelle at 636-745-9500

or Purchase tickets ($100 per couple, or $60 per individual) at

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wine-pairing-tapas-dinner-tickets-11663478779?ref=eweb

Sounds like a fun time!

Linda Otto
314-807-4474

LWML convention update from Coleen Bottorff

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

From: Coleen Bottorff

Date:06/23/2014 10:40 AM (GMT-06:00)

To: jeremy klaustermeier

Subject: LWML

Linda and I had a great trip to Kansas City and the convention this past weekend. We heard some interesting speakers and messages and enjoyed several skits. We elected several new officers - the new Missouri District president is from Perryville. We adopted a budget for the next biennium that will fund 13 mission grants.(several will benefit the seminary) We were allowed to bring home the St. Charles Zone banner that Joyce Luebke designed. You can take a look at it - It is hanging in the sanctuary for everyone to see. We will have it for a month or so and then it will go to another congregation to display.

In Christ, Coleen

Libby Pailer Progress (From Larry Pailer)

Hi everyone! Saturday night I stayed with my beloved bride. The couch could have been a foot longer but I did Ok. I had brought one of Lib's quilts and it brought a big smile from her when she saw it. We went to supper together. I brought a deck of cards and she whopped me twice in gin rummy. This hospital stay has now slowed her game at all. We walked to the patio with her walker. It is quite aways. We do not need an aide to be with her now. Careful is the operative word. All in all we had a pleasant time. For the doubtful , no Hanky Panky went on. See!!! I know what you might be thinking. The Lord has blessed us both with your prayers. Tuesday we go to the hospital to get her staples out. Hopefully we might know when she can come home. i will keep all apraised as it happens. Love to all from Lib and Larry P

Monday, June 23, 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).

"Reborn"
June 23, 2014
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1:3
So, let's see the hands of those readers of the Daily Devotions who are getting older.

As far as I can tell from here, that includes just about everyone. Some of the folks who didn't hold up their hands say they didn't do so because they thought I would ask them to publicly reveal their age. Others didn't do so because they believe I can't see them from the keyboard of my computer.

The truth is we are all getting older, and not necessarily better. The things we used to do easily are now harder or impossible to accomplish. The illnesses we once shrugged off are now only conquered after a prolonged battle. Then, of course, there are the folks whose immune systems have been battered by chemotherapy.

Because all of this is true, many of us might easily find ourselves musing, "Wouldn't it be nice if we could restore those weakened immune systems?"

Well, it appears that scientists at the University of Southern California say they may have discovered a way to do just that. That way is: fasting. Yup. Fasting. When they put folks on a cycle of two-to-four-day fasts, which took place over a period of six months, the results were dramatic. As near as I can tell from their big words, the bodies of these folks ended up breaking down the old immune system and beginning with an almost new one.

Please remember the Daily Devotions are not designed to offer medical advice, and they certainly shouldn't be used to start some kind of procedure without a physician's blessing. All we are reporting is this: scientists think it is possible to jump start a new immune system.

Oh, there is one other thing this devotion is saying. We are also saying there is no way for anybody to regenerate a sinful soul. Scripture is plain: the soul that sins will die. (See Ezekiel 18:20.) Try as you will, you can't change that fact.

This is why we all need a Savior.

In 2 Corinthians 5:17, St. Paul tells us when we are in Christ, we have become a new creation, the old has passed away, and the new has come. Peter agrees with Paul and amplifies that concept when he says we have been born again to a living hope. (See 1Peter 1:3-9.)

Indeed, through the resurrection of the Savior, the eternal destiny is changed for all who are given faith in the Redeemer. Once they were destined to hell, but now they are headed toward heaven. Once there was no escape from damnation, but now salvation is their lot.

The rebirth the Savior brings about is a thing too wonderful for words. It may be too wonderful for words, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't try to express an everlasting thankfulness for God's gracious, blood-bought gift.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, I give thanks that through Your life and resurrection I have been born again. May I live as a thankful person who is most grateful for this new lease on eternal life. In Your Name. Amen.

All too often the job of reaching others is left to others. That can be unfortunate. After all, there are times when YOU may be the best person to reach someone who is lost or wandering. If you have always wanted to know how to do such a sharing of the Savior, you may want to attend Lutheran Hour Ministries' SENT Outreach Conference, which is July 24-27 in Detroit. For more information, visit www.lhm.org/conference.

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: How does God answer "How are we robbing you?" in the book of Malachi? "Will a mere mortal rob God, yet you rob me. But you ask 'How are we robbing you?' In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse-- your whole nation-- because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house....." The Story p. 303
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TODAY'S QUIZ: How many years were there between the last of the O.T. prophets and the birth of Jesus?
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CALENDAR:
Tues- Quilters 9-2; Bible study 11:30-12:15
Fri- Assemble newsletter 9am
Sat- Bible Study 4pm; worship 5; Adult Dinner at Donatelli's Bistro in Wenztville, Cocktails at 6; Dinner at 6:30
Sun- worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; worship 11
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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS WEEK
Acolytes- 8:30- Oliver Landwehr 11- Sam Johnson
Altar guild- Set up- Don and Dianne Hance; Clean Up-- Lynn Russell and Elaine Schauer
Greeters- 8:30- Paul and Cindy Klover ; 11- Mike and Naomi Johnson
Communion Assistants- Sat- John Hachtel ; 8:30- Rich Talbert; 11- Jim Rahn
Lay Readers- Sat- John Hachtel; 8:30- ????; 11am- Jim Rahn
8:30 Ushers- Alan Hofeldt, Tim Linke, Rich Talbert, Don Turnure
Projectors- Sat- Pam Bueltmann, 8:30- ????, 11- Kailyn Blechle
Sat pianist- Molly Hendershot
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NEWS:
A HUGE THANK YOU TO ALL WHO WERE HERE FOR KELSEY'S INDUCTION CELEBRATION YESTERDAY!!!
Especially those who helped to set up, serve, and clean up after lunch! Your willingness and ability to serve is greatly appreciated always.
Kelsey starts work today. When you see her, introduce yourself, and invite her over for a meal or something so she can get to know you and your family and the whole St. John's community!
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YOUTH SERVANT EVENT CAMP AT LUTHERAN ISLAND CAMP IN HENNING, MN July 6-12!!
There is still a space left for one person, adult or 7-12 grader to go, preferably a female. We will be repairing and painting buildings, cleaning up trails, working with horses and working in the community with different outreach projects.

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JUST A NOTE OF ENCOURAGEMENT TO ATTEND WORSHIP

Always remember and never forget what you RECEIVE in WORSHIP! You get to hear words directly from God. You get to have fellowship with your brothers and sisters in Christ, and those who are confirmed get to receive Christ's body and blood for the forgiveness of their sins. Everyone gets to publicly confess their sinfulness and hear the DIRECT words of forgiveness of Christ through the pastor.

There is nothing more important in the life of a Christian on Sunday morning than worship!

So far this Summer our worship attendance has been awful. It is understandable if you are out of town, but if you are in town there is NO EXCUSE. Just because it is Summer vacation from school and other things doesn't mean it should be Summer vacation from worship!

God never takes a break from you and you shouldn't take a break from Him and His gifts either. His gifts of His Word and His Sacraments are of utmost importance in your life and your family's life. Please make every effort to be in worship for your own sake and for the sake of your brothers and sisters in Christ!

Make plans to be in worship this Saturday night or Sunday morning especially as we induct Kelsey Overbeck!

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THERE IS STILL ROOM IN THE JULY 7-11 LITTLE LAMBS SUMMER CAMPS FOR 3-6 Year olds!!! The theme for that camp is COOL SCIENCE!! They will be doing some cool science experiments and learning all about the science of God's creation!!

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FRIENDSHIP TREKI!! VBS IS COMING UP JULY 14-18!! "Kid Friendly" Supper at 5:30; VBS 6-8pm

The theme is friendship and the Bible stories will revolve around different "friend" relationships throughout Scripture!!

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ADULT DINNER CELEBRATION, SATURDAY, JUNE 28 AT DONATELLI'S BISTRO, 8653 Hwy N, Lake St. Louis

Cocktails at 6pm, Dinner at 6:30

We will be able to order from the menu

Please sign the sheet in the narthex if you will be attending so reservations can be made.

This is a social get together with church friends! Come celebrate your birthday or anniversary.

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RIVER CITY RASCALS BASEBALL GAME, SUNDAY, JULY 13 at 5:05 pm!!!

Box seats are $9 per person!! Get your tickets from John Hachtel today! Don't delay!

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6TH ANNUAL ST. JOHN'S GOLF OUTING IS SET FOR SATURDAY, AUGUST 16 at Country Lakes Golf Course

Flyers with all the information necessary are on the counter in the narthex.

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THE STORY: CHAPTER 22 "The Birth of a King" IS THIS WEEK!!!

COME CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS WITH US THIS WEEK!!!

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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DONUT LIST NEEDS FILLING (pun intended)!!!

If you are willing to sign up for a Sunday let me know by replying to this email and I will add you!! Thanks

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

June 29- Jim Rahn

July 6- Cal and Betty Tameler

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 WENDELL ROEHRS as he recovers from surgery to remove a benign tumor from his brain stem. He is doing well, but is a bit confused and will slowly regain all of his cognitive ability.

For LINDA KETTERER as she is recovering from thyroid surgery to remove her thyroid. There was a very small amount cancer for which she will have to do a one time radiation treatment in pill form.

For LIBBY PAILER, who is recovering from a broken pelvis at The Cedars in Chesterfield.

For ED KOHRS, as he is recovering from blood clots in his legs and lungs and as he mourns the loss of his wife as well.

For DENISE SCHLESSELMANN, as she left yesterday for her summer mission trip to the Silesian province of the Czech Republic. Pray that all things work out well and it turns into a full time mission.

For KELSEY OVERBECK, as she moves this week into Denise's house and as she begins her service to the Lord here at St. John's on Sunday.

For LINDA CALLIES AND COLLEEN BOTTORFF as they travel to KC for the Missouri District LWML convention, for their safety and for a productive and God pleasing convention.

For THE STARK FAMILY as they are gong through many tough struggles right now.

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Fwd: The Lutheran Hour: June 22, 2014

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

From: Lutheran Hour Ministries

Date:06/21/2014 9:15 PM (GMT-06:00)

To: revklaus@hotmail.com

Subject: The Lutheran Hour: June 22, 2014

The Lutheran Hour with Rev.Gregory Seltz

Sermon Text for June 22, 2014

"Dream Giver for Dream Receivers" #81-42

Presented on The Lutheran Hour on June 22, 2014
By Rev. Gregory Seltz, Lutheran Hour Speaker
(Do We Have to Work to Share the Gospel?)
Copyright 2014 Lutheran Hour Ministries

Text: Romans 6:12-23

Christ is risen, He is risen indeed, and in Him we have eternal dreams to dream, eternal life to live, now and forever! Amen.

In 1998, Larry Page and Sergey Brin picked the number one followed by 100 zeroes while they were still graduate students at Stanford University. That number in mathematical terms is called a googol, and that became the name of their new enterprise. Today, Google operates the largest search engine in the world with Internet users performing hundreds of millions of searches a day.

Jim Reese, chief operations engineer of Google, says this about Brin and Page: "It takes a lot of confidence and courage to go ahead and do that [i.e., to dream big, to be that big]. It's rare to find people who think on such a grand scale and are able to create a product at the same time."

There are all kinds of books out there about "Dreaming Big Dreams!" If you hear people talk, they'll say, "Go to the right schools, get an education, believe in yourself, and dream big, get to work!"

There's something wonderful about having a dream, isn't there? It gets you out of bed in the morning. It gives you a spring in your step. It gives you strength to deal with problems. It gives you hope for the moment and confidence to face the future. Things just seem better when you are chasing a dream, don't they?

There's a greeting card company that thinks so. In fact, their lead characters, "Hoops and YoYo," in many of their speaking cards and collectibles, seem to fill each and everyone with that kind of enthusiasm for the day. I just got one of their collectibles for my daughter and when you push the button, it shouts... "Dream BiiiGGGG!" You can hear their energetic way of talking, their infectious laughter, you almost can't help but start dreaming about what the day will bring.

Now, about dreaming big dreams, the Bible understands that, Jesus understands that. In fact, He created you for freedom, for love, for laughter, for joy, for life. He even wants you to dream about what God can do with your life, now and forever. God is in the "Dream Big Business."

But there's a problem. We're the ones who take God's eternal dreams for our life and salvation and turn it into nightmares. Paul says it this way, "The wages of sin is death!" It's not that God squelches dreams, that's our business. In fact, the universal trait for humanity is that our sin always gets in the way. No matter the effort, no matter the tenacity, no matter how much capacity we bring to the table all our biggest dreams last merely for a moment because our sin cuts us off from God who is the only Source for real life!

Nightmares, not dreams, struggle and pain, not hope for life; it was like that for 19-year old, Daniel. Let's call him Daniel (since we shouldn't use his real name for reasons that will soon become clear.) One day, when he was speaking to the music director at the Lutheran mission in his neighborhood, he said from the heart, with frustration in his eyes, with no dreams for tomorrow, let alone today; he said "This is who I am. I was born this way and it's never going to change."

He had plenty of reasons to justify the gang life that he'd been living. His family had been members of the Sureño gang in LA's Southside for generations. "My mom was a Sureña. My dad was a Sureño. My grandpa was a Sureño, my grandma was a Sureña..." Daniel, covered with the scars and gang-symbol tattoos which he had accumulated over the years. He served that lifestyle; he said, "I can't change who I am. I feel bad about what I've done in my life, but I can't change it. It's all I've ever known from the day I was born."

Like so many young men and women trapped in lifestyles passed to them from their parents and neighbors, Daniel struggled to think that his life could ever be any different. Until now, he hadn't thought about his life as being, basically owned by the gangs; but ever since he had nearly died of a drug overdose, he was afraid. If there was an out, he wanted out. If he stayed where he was in life, it was just a matter of time he would die from drugs or be killed. He knew that if there was a hell, he deserved to go there because of who he was and all the things he had done. For a lot of years, he was okay with that, but something had changed. He wanted, he longed for something better. Dream big? That's crazy, right?

Who can dream when the dream of any kind of life seems so far away, so impossible? Paul, in this text, says it clearly, "the wages of sin is death." Sinful people, even when dreaming big dreams, wake up to its temporal reality at some point in time; death and its shadows of guilt, and sin, temptation, hopelessness, and pain. We can feel its reality, its shadows are everywhere. Sin does that! It saps us of our strength. It whispers hopeless thoughts in the midst of our efforts. It overwhelms us with guilt and the feeling of loss and loneliness. It exacts a price!

Life without God eventually comes to nothing. Do you need more proof?

Be honest, are you really in control of your life? If there is one thing that all people share, that's the reality that life is bigger than us, beyond our sinful grasp. Just when we thought we had it all under control something hits, something overwhelms.

It could just be the daily grind. After all, there's always something else clamoring for our attention, responsibilities piling one on top of another. "Life is so busy! When will the constant go, go, go, do, do do, come to an end?" If someone is in control of this mess of a life, it certainly doesn't seem to be me! How about you? So, for those of you who feel the weight of the wages of sin in your life, who know what happens when "1 followed by 100 zeros" is not the googol size of your dreams but the googol size of your debts, the size of our remorse, the size of our regret? What happens when you've got all that a googol size dream in this world can give you, and it's not enough? What then?

God's word of promise in Romans today is a promise for us all. To the Daniels in the world, to the overwhelmed in the world, to the crushed in the world, to the harried and harassed in the world, to you, to me, to all of us today, Paul proclaims that Jesus breaks the tyranny of our sinful life's fears, hopelessness, and life's grind with the assurance that He is in control of our destiny right now. Earthly, temporal success may be won for a time through cunning, obedience, and effort in this dog-eat-dog world, but real, abundant, eternal life is bigger than that, and it is a gift that only God Himself can provide.

So hear me clearly today my friend, to anyone listening, to those who have been weighed down by temptation, sin, rebellion, ineptitude, or grief, the daily grind of life that doesn't seem to get any better; God has the ultimate say in your life, believe it. Incredibly, even to those who can't make life happen, Paul makes us all an offer, in Christ, here's life! In fact, real life is looking for you, looking to bless you, looking to give you hope and a future. That's why Paul is pleading with us. Don't let sin reign in your body, don't let sin steal your hope and future, receive the life that God has for you, one He earned, one He delivers all the way to where you are right now!

God's in the big dream creating business. He's in the big dream delivery business too. He does something incredible about our situation! And it's big. You know that "1 plus 100 zeros behind it" thing? Well, that's not really a big deal to Him. In John, chapter 1, it says that Jesus Himself was the Creator of the world! Wow! That's a Googol-sized statement to the 100-millionth degree. But, even more incredibly, the Bible says that He came from His heavenly throne to live under the law perfectly in our place, to take upon Himself the punishment for our sin, and to give us His life as a gift. And that's not wishful thinking or spiritual daydreaming; it's a God-sized fact in history. Christmas, Good Friday, Easter, all for you, so that you can begin to dream again of what life can be in God's grace! God sent His Son into the world, not to overpower it, not to demonstrate His genius, but to serve, to suffer it, to save it, to give us a life we could never dream of!

Listen again to this: "You are not under law," says Paul, "but under grace...for the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

What an incredible offer. But, even here as Paul proclaims the essence and the power of that grace life, there was some people who thought, "Well, if it's all about grace, then we can sin as much as we want, right?" What a question. If the wages of sin is death, if death is the great squasher of all humanities' dreams, why would anyone willingly wish to bring that debt back into their lives when real life has been offered to them in Christ Jesus alone? But people do.

So Paul simply says it so that we can all understand. God deals with us straight, sin's wage is death, but there is life for all on God's terms. So, in the world of "you can't do it, you won't make it, your life doesn't matter," He overcame hopelessness through the cross and delivered resurrection life so that you and I could dream big dreams in Him alone and that new view of life comes by faith alone to all who trust in Jesus.

That's how it happened for Daniel! Daniel started hanging around the Lutheran church in his neighborhood, at first just to avoid the police that were occasionally parked near his house. But, the people, even though Daniel kind of stood out in the crowd, the people at the church hadn't chased him away. In fact, they invited him in to their Bible studies and worship services. Daniel, he pretended to be uninterested, but he secretly wondered if these old, weak Christian people had something he needed. Nobody knew it, he hid it well in those days, but he was looking for an escape from the only life he had ever known. He didn't want to escape into death, which some people consider when they're running from their fears, but he was seeking escape from death. The people at the church told him they weren't afraid of death because Jesus had taken away death's teeth and right now, while they lived, and someday even when they die, they belonged to Jesus.

Now Daniel knew the power of sin in his life, he knew its debilitating capacity, but more importantly, he came to know what life is like when you know that you are God's child in Jesus Christ; dreams become possible again!

God made a way through for Him. God had an eternal life for Him to live no matter what the struggles of the day-to-day issues of life. The great warrior-Savior Jesus who died for him, now gave him the strength to start living again in Him.

Will you, like Daniel, receive the dream of the redeemed today; the gift of eternal life that only comes as a gift from God the Dream Giver in Jesus Christ? Will you, by faith, let it transform your life starting today?

Today's the day for you in Christ, my friend. You can join in the dream in Christ. By faith in Him, you can be a part of the forgiven band of forgiven sinners who now live life for their Savior and for their neighbor. It has been called the fellowship of the unashamed. It's a community of grace, of people who can say Romans 1 boldly with the Apostle Paul that "I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God for everyone who believes."

But that unashamed faith impacts all your life. I like the way an African preacher puts it. See if you can say it this way with him and with me. You ready? "In Jesus, I'm part of the fellowship of the unashamed. The dye has been cast. The choice has been made, Jesus has claimed me...I am His, a disciple of Jesus Christ. So, I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still.

"I must go till He comes, give till I drop, proclaim till everyone knows, work till He stops me, and when He comes for His own, He will have no trouble recognizing me because my banner will have been clear."

That's the spirit of this text today; because of Christ, because of the life He has given to you by grace through faith, the dream of the redeemed is yours, so dream on.

As Paul says, "Don't let sin therefore reign in your mortal body. Don't present your members as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God...and your members to God as instruments for His righteousness...since you are not under law but under grace."

Let Christ's gift of life begin to change your focus, now that your destiny is sure in Him. That's, again, what God did for Daniel, that's what He can do for you. Today, Daniel is working hard in life. The new life is not always easy, but there is joy now, peace now, hope now! He no longer works for the gangs, though he still gets taunted by friends who watch him struggle to find honest employment. They watch him hold advertisement signs up for businesses at street corners for minimum wage, they drive past him honking and shouting. They remind him of his former life and the options for quick, easy money, but Daniel is quick to tell them, "That's not who I am any more. My daily work might be hard, even a little embarrassing at times, but, even here I belong to something much better now."

So, my friend, dream big; dream big dreams, not in your power alone. That's ultimately a futile exercise. Today, God wants you not just to understand, but to see your life from His perspective, from His directive, from His work on your behalf and then, by faith, exercise your life of grace in Him for others! In Him, for Him, by Him dream big dreams! Don't be overcome with your temporary failures and struggles. Remember the One who called you to faith, He has already made all things possible! The wages of sin may be death, but Jesus overcame death to grant us His everlasting life as a gift. That's hope, that's forgiveness, that's life, a dream today God wants to come true for you.

Amen!

LUTHERAN HOUR MAILBOX (Questions & Answers) for June 22, 2014
Topic: Do We Have to Work to Share the Gospel?

ANNOUNCER: Now, Pastor Gregory Seltz responds to questions from listeners. I'm Mark Eischer. Today a listener asks, "Once you said about witnessing that we should first work to 'earn the right' to share the Gospel with someone. By that, do you mean we should never just outright share the Gospel with a stranger? Do we have to always have some preparatory work first? Can't God work the other way?"

SELTZ: Mark, that's one of those questions that arises not from something I've said, but something I didn't say.

ANNOUNCER: Explain please.

SELTZ: Our listener is right. I have said and written that as Christians we should work hard at building bridges with our friends and neighbors earning the right to share the Good News of Jesus in a personal, authentic way. Like Peter says in 1 Peter 3, we strive to witness with "gentleness and respect."

ANNOUNCER: Gentleness and respect sometimes take some effort on our part, don't they?

SELTZ: They sure do. And I think that when we work at showing gentleness and respect towards others, when we are neighborly, it helps our witness. But having said that, the effort of friendship, neighborliness, even lived out perfectly, that isn't the power of our witness. Such things can help lower an unbeliever's defenses a bit so they might give the Gospel a fair hearing or they can even help us get out of the way of the power of the Word working through our lives to others.

ANNOUNCER: In order to effectively share Christ, you're saying that it's always about the power that's in the Word of God itself, that's what affects the person it's not ultimately our ability or our methods.

SELTZ: That's right, and it's not just me saying that, that's what the Bible says. The Bible is clear in Romans 10, "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God." So, in all of our witnessing, it is the power of God's Word, by the work of the Holy Spirit that people come to faith in Jesus.

ANNOUNCER: So effective sharing of the Gospel can happen as we take that time to cultivate a friendship or be a good neighbor to someone.

SELTZ: Or, it could be a one-time event where we share God's Word with someone in need and they come to faith. So, it's not an either/or proposition, but a both/and one.

ANNOUNCER: All right. How do you know when to be bold and when to take the slow approach?

SELTZ: There is an art to this, I think. Let's just say it this way, "If you've got an opportunity to grow a friendship so that when you do share the good news of Christ for your friends, they also know that you love and you really care for them, do it. Embodying God's Word for others is a way for non-believers to not only hear the Word of God, but to see it lived out in someone's life. That's the power of the word of God at work in and through your life. So, give it all you've got! Enjoy your friendships!

ANNOUNCER: Right. How about the other times?

SELTZ: Well, we used to pass out tracts about the message of the Bible at certain places around our communities, at special times of year like Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving; or, our churches often did community service events around the neighborhood. If people asked us why we're doing it and we had an opportunity to share the Gospel of grace in Christ, we did it.

ANNOUNCER: And, there are also times when people are brought into your life through, perhaps, some tragedy, even, and you have an opportunity, then, to speak about faith in God.

SELTZ: And so you do it; prayerfully, joyfully, with a gentle heart. You do it, right?

ANNOUNCER: I think so.

SELTZ: So do I. God has given us sanctified common sense about these things and He's opened up our hearts to love others as He loves us. With that in mind, don't be afraid of taking time to be a friend or taking the opportunity to share the Gospel when the time presents itself.

ANNOUNCER: Remembering that it's the Holy Spirit at work to bring that person to faith in Christ.

SELTZ: Right, so it should relieve us from the guilt of when we've done things wrongly or missed opportunities in the past, or it should motivate us with joyful hearts to give it our best with new opportunities to testify about Jesus, the things He's making happen today! Those can be part of our long term friendships or one time opportunities to share God's grace to someone who needs it. Both/and. Give it your best!

ANNOUNCER: And, once again, it's God's Spirit at work through the Word, and God even provides the opportunities to share that Word with others. As we approach it that way each day, it sounds like a very purposeful way of living your life in order to share that miracle of faith with others.

SELTZ: It sure is.

ANNOUNCER: Thank you, Pastor Seltz, and we thank our listener for that question. 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 of Our Life and God of Our Salvation" 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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660 Mason Ridge Center Dr.
St. Louis, MO 63141
1-800-876-9880

Update on Wendell Roehrs

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

From: Sandy and Steve Robine

Date:06/21/2014 3:18 PM (GMT-06:00)

To: "Rev. Jeremy Klaustermeier"

Cc: Karin Klaustermeier

Subject: Update on Wendell Roehrs

His surgery went well, according to the doctor. 85% of the tumor was removed and the remainder was left to preserve his facial nerves. He is still in ICU and seems good physically. Linda said that he seems to be pretty agitated and confused. They did a CT scan this morning and it looked to be normal. So, the next step is to adjust his medications. They will have to wait and see if that helps.

Update on Wendell Roehrs

-----Original Message-----

From: "Sandy and Steve Robine" <snsrobine@centurytel.net>
Sent: June 21, 2014 3:18 PM
To: "Rev. Jeremy Klaustermeier" <revklaus@hotmail.com>
Cc: "Karin Klaustermeier" <karin.klaustermeier@hotmail.com>
Subject: Update on Wendell Roehrs

Pastor K,

Please forward this on to your email newsletter list.

Received a text today from Wendell & Mary's daughter, Linda, updating us on Wendell's post-op progress.

She said to please share with their Warrenton friends and to please keep him on the prayer list.

Whenever I receive the next update, I will certainly share with you.

Thank you.

Sandy

A request from Steve and Sandy Robine

If anyone knows anyone who is looking for a place in Affton to rent please read below:

Greetings to all of you!

If you know of any married Concordia St. Louis Seminary student married couples looking for housing, I would certainly appreciate your spreading the word. Usually i have no availability because the student couples moving out (graduating) have told someone else and they just move right in after them. The house is a duplex and I do have one Sem couple returing from vicarage to rent the side during their 4th year that they lived in for their first 2 years. This happens alot because they like the home so well. My dear friend, Sue Thompson used to live there for about 8 years and she is the one that got me thinking about renting to our Sem couples. It has worked out very well for all concerned. Again, I would appreciate you posting the ad below, to anyone you may know attending our St. Louis Seminary this next school year. The couple returning is Matthew & Kathleen Resner and will be great to have for neighbors. The home will be available in July.

I will appreciate your help.

Thank you and God's peace on your day.

Sandy Robine

Attention Concordia Seminary St. Louis married students!

Very nice "off campus" home available in Affton to a Sem couple for $650/month.

No security deposit for Seminary student couples, however, any damages caused by the tenant to be paid for by the tenant. Rental agreement required (basic rules)

Approx. 20 minute commute to Seminary campus.

Close to Salem/Affton - Reformation - Christ Memorial - Webster Gardens

Nice updated kitchen - includes refrigerator, stove, microwave.

1 Bedroom + Study off the kitchen.

Central A/C

Private basement with washer/dryer HOOK-UP for your own washer/dryer. ELECTRIC dryer only please.

Offstreet parking with one spot being 1 garage bay.

VERY nice private yard with 2 covered porch areas - lawn furniture provided for your use. Private porches, outdoor furniture & yard are "shared" with other duplex neighbor; but they are a Sem couple as well.

Grass cutting included in with rent - (tenant provides any snow removal! - Shovels and ice melt provided by landlord)

Trash, water and sewer bills included with rent.

NO PETS - NO CHILDREN.

If interested, please email Sandy Robine (Lutheran church lady!) at snsrobine@centurytel.net

References available.

request of a prayer of thanksgiving

A new baby girl has been born to Brett and Amanda Nordwald. Her name is Lily. Praise the Lord!

prayer request from Pastor

Please pray for the people in my home state of Minnesota and especially my immediate and extended family and friends as many are experiencing severe and extreme flooding with roads washed out, driveways gone, and basements flooded to 3 and 4 feet deep.

The only road to get to my mom and dad's house is half underwater and there is more rain expected this afternoon and this evening.

My cousin's driveway is under 2 feet of water and their home is now only accessible by boat or big tractor.

Many towns are literally half underwater, especially those near rivers and creeks.

Most of the farmers have a quarter or more of their crops flooded.

Just pray that God has mercy and that the rain stops soon.

Thursday, June 19, 2014 (another prayer request)

Please pray for Wendell Roehrs as he is scheduled to have surgery to remove a benign tumor that is growing near his and around his brain.

"On Edge"
June 19, 2014
(Jesus said) "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits." Matthew 7:15-16
There are times when some of the things the Bible says are frightening in their accuracy and modern day fulfillment.

Certainly, that was true two weeks ago when the Savior's words recorded by Matthew, the words of our devotion's text, were played out in Nigeria. It was just after sunset in the village of Maidiguri when some wandering preachers came to town. They announced that everyone should come together so they could hear a message about "the righteous path."

It didn't take long for most of the people to assemble. Unfortunately, that day there was no message and nobody preached to them about the "righteous path."

That's because Boko Haram, the same fanatical Islamist group which kidnapped hundreds of girls because they were receiving an education, arrived in the village of Maidiguri. Indeed, it quickly became apparent that the "preachers" were also members of Boko Haram. They were false prophets who, in sheep's garb had brought the people together, not to hear a message, but to be slaughtered.

And were the members of Boko Haram ravening wolves? One of the town's survivors counted the bodies. Forty-five of his neighbors had been murdered in cold blood.

The final warning from Jesus' prophecy had been fulfilled: the people had learned to recognize the murdering wolves by the works they were doing.

Now it would be right if you were to offer a prayer of thanks that there are no such false prophets, no such ravening wolves coming into our communities for the purpose of committing murder. Of course, that doesn't mean there are no ravening wolves.

The difference between the wolves who come into your town and those of Maidiguri is this: our wolves are more subtle in their approach and in the results they wish to achieve. While the wolves of Boko Haram want to control people through fear and murder, our wolves are more dangerous.

More subtle in approach and goal, our wolves try to lead believers away from their Savior and the truths of Scripture. Listen carefully to their message. Do they preach Christ crucified and risen or is their emphasis on how to get God to give you stuff? Is the weight of their message on blood-bought forgiveness of sins, or does it assure people they are fine just the way they are?

Whether it be Nigeria or Nebraska, the Congo or Colorado, the wolves are among God's flock.

Knowing that, we need to be prepared. Jesus said, "By their works you will know them." Recognizing the wolves is easy when they are murderers like the men of Boko Haram. It is a bit harder identifying our subtle and seductive wolves. It is harder, but it is not impossible. All we need do is look at their works and words to see if they are pointing people toward or away from the Savior.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, Jesus said we should be wary of the wolves. Grant that we may recognize anyone who would try to destroy our faith through violence or words. Keep us always steadfast in the faith and the salvation Jesus has won for us. In His Name. Amen.

All too often the job of reaching others is left to others. That can be unfortunate. After all, there are times when YOU may be the best person to reach someone who is lost or wandering. If you have always wanted to know how to do such a sharing of the Savior, you may want to attend Lutheran Hour Ministries' SENT Outreach Conference, which is July 24-27 in Detroit. For more information, visit www.lhm.org/conference.

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: Who wrote the last book of the Old Testament? Here is a very thorough answer from Dianne Hance THANKS DIANNE!
The last book of the old testament was written by Malachi which means "my messenger" Since the terms appears in
the Bible as both prophets and priests being called messengers of the Lord, some think "Malachi" to be only a title
that tradition has given the author. The name remains uncertain but it is still very likely that Malachi was the author's
name. (Information from Concordia Self Study Bible)

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TODAY'S QUIZ: How does God answer "How are we robbing you?" in the book of Malachi?
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CALENDAR:

Thurs- Funeral for Margaret Kohrs 10am, burial at family cemetery near Troy immediately after funeral with luncheon at 12:30

Fri- Bible Study at Hendershot's 7pm; July newsletter deadline
Sat- Bible Study 4pm; worship 5
Sun- worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; worship 11; DCE Intern induction at 11am service with luncheon to follow at noon
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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS WEEK
Acolytes- 8:30- Zack Hoelscher 11- Siera Jaeger
Altar guild- Set up- Linda Callies; Clean Up-- Don and Ann Panhorst
Greeters- 8:30- Dave and Linda Callies; 11- Steve and Sandy Robine
Communion Assistants- Sat- Rich Boeger; 8:30- Rich Talbert; 11- None
Lay Readers- Sat- Sandra Perricone; 8:30- ???; 11am- Ian Brunson
8:30 Ushers- Don Hance, Rich Boeger, Don Weigle, Don Tate
Projectors- Sat- ?????, 8:30- Terry McKenzie, 11- Emily Brunson
Sat pianist- Tim Sherman
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NEWS:

VISITATION AND FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR MARGARET KOHRS

Visitation-- Wednesday 4-8pm at Martin Funeral Home in Warrenton

Funeral-- Thursday 10am at St. John's, Burial in Asbury Cemetery near Troy immediately following the service, Luncheon to follow burial at 12:30 back at St John's

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WELCOME POTLUCK THIS SUNDAY FOR THE NEW DCE INTERN KELSEY OVERBECK

It would be wonderful to see as many YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES there as possible to welcome her and to introduce yourselves!!!!

Her induction will be in the 11am service, but she will be introduced at all the services in the next two weeks.

Please call the church office and tell us who is coming and many of you will be there. If no one answers please still leave a message!

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PENNIES FROM HEAVEN-- Little Lambs and St. John's together raised $268.90 for Agape through the "Pennies from Heaven" Campaign! Please know that you can donate to Agape at any time! They are in desperate need of non perishable canned and pre packaged food item especially at this time of year! You can bring it directly to Agape's food pantry yourself or bring it to church and I will bring it to them! Need knows no season, and there is A LOT of need in Warren County right now!
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BENEFIT GOLF OUTING FOR COMMUNITY-- Lakeview Men's Club is hosting a 2 person scramble at Country Lakes on Friday, June 27. Registration is at 7am, tee time is at 8am. All proceeds go to support Turning Point (our local women and children's shelter), Agape, and the Warren County Senior Center. Cost is $70 per person if mailed/turned in by this Friday. $80 day of event. Call 636-359-7884 for more details. Flyers will be posted on the bulletin board next to Pastor's office.

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JUST A NOTE OF ENCOURAGEMENT TO ATTEND WORSHIP

There is nothing more important in the life of a Christian on Sunday morning than worship!

Make plans to be in worship this Saturday night or Sunday morning especially as we induct Kelsey Overbeck!

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THERE IS STILL ROOM IN LITTLE LAMBS SUMMER CAMPS FOR 3-6 Year olds!!! Call the church office for details.

June 16-20--- Community Helpers!!

July 7-11--

July 21-25-- Water Fun!!