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Daily Devotion: Tuesday, November 11, 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).
"The Power of Blood"
November 11, 2014
... The blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7b
Thomas lives in Switzerland and his blood is "golden," that is, it has the ability to save lives.
Now if you happen to have blood type A, AB, B or O, getting a transfusion is usually not a great difficulty. Of course, finding a suitable blood donor can be more complicated than that. The medical community says our blood cells are coated with antigens, a lot of them. It is those antigens which determine a person's complete blood type, and some of those antigens make it almost impossible for certain folks to find a compatible donor.
The key word in that last sentence is almost.
You see, there are a very few folks -- a very few folks -- who are Rh-null. That means their blood has no antigens, and it also means this person's blood can be accepted by anybody. Now when I say there are very few folks whose blood has this quality, I mean it. In the 49 years the medical community has been looking, only 43 people have been identified as having Rh-null blood and Thomas is one of the ten active donors who makes his blood available.
His blood often spells the difference between life and death.
Now, if Thomas with his life-saving blood is physically in demand, how much more in demand should be the Savior who has the only blood that can save sinful souls?
It's true you know. Jesus' Name is the only name which saves; His blood is the only blood which can cleanse. Look at what Scripture says:
* 1 John 1:7b, "The blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin."
* In the book of Revelation, John sees those who "have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb" (Revelation 7:14b).
* St. Peter tells us we have been ransomed "not with perishable things such as silver or gold ... but with the precious blood of Christ" (see 1 Peter 1:18-19).
* And, in Ephesians, St. Paul reminds us to "remember that you were ... without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ" (see Ephesians 2:12-13).
Friends, I have often seen families in a hospital emergency room in tears as they gave thanks for the powerful, positive, albeit temporary, results that had been brought about by an earthly transfusion. It is my prayer that you may always be just as thankful that, through the Savior's blood, shed on the cross, you have been given forgiveness, a family of faith, and a permanent home in heaven.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, may we who have been saved by the blood of Jesus Christ be equipped with every good, so we may do Your will and accomplish that which is pleasing in Your sight. This I ask in the Name of our redeeming Savior. Amen. (See Hebrews 13:20-21.)
In Christ I remain His servant and yours,
Pastor Ken Klaus
Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour®
Lutheran Hour Ministries
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: What did the children shout in the temple that made the chief priest and teachers of the law so indignant on Monday of holy week? Hosanna to the Son of David
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).
"The Power of Blood"
November 11, 2014
... The blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7bThomas lives in Switzerland and his blood is "golden," that is, it has the ability to save lives.
Now if you happen to have blood type A, AB, B or O, getting a transfusion is usually not a great difficulty. Of course, finding a suitable blood donor can be more complicated than that. The medical community says our blood cells are coated with antigens, a lot of them. It is those antigens which determine a person's complete blood type, and some of those antigens make it almost impossible for certain folks to find a compatible donor.
The key word in that last sentence is almost.
You see, there are a very few folks -- a very few folks -- who are Rh-null. That means their blood has no antigens, and it also means this person's blood can be accepted by anybody. Now when I say there are very few folks whose blood has this quality, I mean it. In the 49 years the medical community has been looking, only 43 people have been identified as having Rh-null blood and Thomas is one of the ten active donors who makes his blood available.
His blood often spells the difference between life and death.
Now, if Thomas with his life-saving blood is physically in demand, how much more in demand should be the Savior who has the only blood that can save sinful souls?
It's true you know. Jesus' Name is the only name which saves; His blood is the only blood which can cleanse. Look at what Scripture says:
* 1 John 1:7b, "The blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin."
* In the book of Revelation, John sees those who "have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb" (Revelation 7:14b).
* St. Peter tells us we have been ransomed "not with perishable things such as silver or gold ... but with the precious blood of Christ" (see 1 Peter 1:18-19).
* And, in Ephesians, St. Paul reminds us to "remember that you were ... without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ" (see Ephesians 2:12-13).
Friends, I have often seen families in a hospital emergency room in tears as they gave thanks for the powerful, positive, albeit temporary, results that had been brought about by an earthly transfusion. It is my prayer that you may always be just as thankful that, through the Savior's blood, shed on the cross, you have been given forgiveness, a family of faith, and a permanent home in heaven.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, may we who have been saved by the blood of Jesus Christ be equipped with every good, so we may do Your will and accomplish that which is pleasing in Your sight. This I ask in the Name of our redeeming Savior. Amen. (See Hebrews 13:20-21.)
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 did the children shout in the temple that made the chief priest and teachers of the law so indignant on Monday of holy week? Hosanna to the Son of David
Two Prayer requests
1. For Lil Winter who is hospitalized with pneumonia.
2.From the Perricones: please add our dear friends the Hubbs family to prayer list. Leslie is having shoulder surgery on the 18th and Mark is donating a kidney to his son Trevor and the transplant will take place on the 20th.
-------- Original message --------
From: Sandra Perricone
Date:11/10/2014 6:07 PM (GMT-06:00)
To: jeremy klaustermeier
Subject: Re: Fwd: The Lutheran Hour: November 9, 2014
Sunday school Christmas Program Information
As many of you probably know, Christmas is fast approaching! To be exact there are 45 days until Christmas! That means there are 41 days until our Christmas program which means that's 6 Sundays away! Our Christmas program will be on December 21st at the 11:00 service. We will be practicing our songs during Sunday school, which begins at 9:45, starting this coming Sunday.
I encourage you all to start bringing your kids to Sunday School if you haven't been bringing them and all of our children to be faithful in Sunday school attendance, so they can be a part of it!
In Him, For Him,
I encourage you all to start bringing your kids to Sunday School if you haven't been bringing them and all of our children to be faithful in Sunday school attendance, so they can be a part of it!
In Him, For Him,
Kelsey Overbeck
Weekend results
Below is a message from the OAFC group leaders who were here this past weekend. These results were shared with the congregation at each of the services as well.
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| Ongoing Ambassadors for Christ | ||||||
| Sharing the Absolute Certainty of Eternal Live | ||||||
| as we Tell the Good News about Jesus! | ||||||
| Thank you for hosting a team of Ongoing Ambassadors for Christ. We hope that our time together was a blessing for your congregation as we joined in service to carry the message of eternal life through Christ to your community. Our 3-fold purpose: | ||||||
| 1. Witness to all about Jesus as the Savior! | ||||||
| 2. Invite the unchurched to the congregations we serve! | ||||||
| 3. Train youth and adults to confidently share their faith | ||||||
| You have encouraged us by: | ||||||
| Praying for God's blessing on our outreach; | ||||||
| Providing housing, meals, and transportation; | ||||||
| Joining us in reaching out to your community; | ||||||
| Allowing us to participate in the worship services; | ||||||
| Supporting OAFC with prayers and a financial gift. | ||||||
| In our witness-survey we made | 93 | calls. | ||||
| Gospel literature was left at | 116 | houses where no one was | ||||
| home. When we asked, "Where do you believe you will go when | ||||||
| you die?" Most Answered "Heaven." When we asked, "Why do | ||||||
| you believe you will go to heaven?" | ||||||
| 29 | said because Jesus lived and died for them; | |||||
| 13 | hoped they were living good enough lives; | |||||
| 12 | were not sure of going to heaven; | |||||
| 39 | did not answer the question or complete the survey. | |||||
| We shared with all who would listen that Jesus gave His life to pay | ||||||
| for all their sins so they can be sure of going to heaven. | ||||||
| 11 | of those we shared this with were unchurched. | |||||
| Through our visits we also discovered | ||||||
| 8 | unchurched individuals who would welcome another visit, | |||||
| and that were interested in visiting the church. | ||||||
Officers and Board Members Needed!! Elections this weekend!
Dear members of St. John's,
YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST, YOUR CHURCH, AND I REALLY NEED HELP!!
If you feel that you have the gift of leadership and the time to commit to it, please consider one of these opportunities to serve!
Below are the positions that are open and a brief description of duties and responsibilities of each according to our constitution:
One person for the Board of Stewardship
1. Plan, promote, and carry out a Christian stewardship program in the congregation
2. Assure all members of the congregation understand that every good thing are gifts from God.
3. Assist all members in finding ways to use their time and talents to support the building of God's kingdom.
4. Appoint individuals as necessary to assist in implementation of goals.
5. Be an example of good Christian stewardship
Two people for the board of elders (positions still open from last year)
1. Assist the pastor in all matter pertaining to the spiritual welfare of the congregation.
2. Consider complaints and grievances of members of the congregation according to Matthew 18:15-20
3. Make every effort to induce members who have been negligent in their worship attendance and in their financial support.
4. See to it that all service are conducted rightly and in order.
5. Assist the pastor in arranging for pulpit assistance.
6. Prepare a list of candidate when there is a pastoral or staff vacancy
7. Consider annually whether the material needs of all staff members are being adequately met
8. Be an example of good Christian conduct including regular attendance in worship and Bible study.
Two people for board of trustees--
1. Be authorized to select custodial employees
2. Be concerned with the well being of all real and personal property
3. Maintain such properties
4. Keep congregation informed as to the state of such properties
5. Keep the congregation properly insured
6. Set all policies and fees for rental and use of property.
7. Enlist work crews for special repairs and improvements.
One person for the board of evangelism and outreach
1. Plan, promote and carry out an evangelism program in the congregation and community.
2. Plan and supervise religious surveys of the community
3. Arrange for the maintenance of record files
4. Enlist aid in visiting prospective members of the congregation.
5. Assist pastor in evangelism training
6. Consider the needs of individuals in the congregation, of aged, sick, poor7. Call the congregation's attention to social welfare agencies
7. endeavor to publicize the Gospel
8. Monitor pastor's discretionary fund.
9. Be an example
Vice President-- (Vacant for last two years)
1. The VP shall occupy a seat on the church council and preside at all its meetings (They meet on every month in which there is not a voter's meeting (7 meetings in all as we do not meet in December).
2. During absence of the president, the vp shall perform the duties of the office of president. In the event of a vacancy on the office of president, the vp shall succeed to the office for the remainder of the term. In such an instance the office of vp shall be filled by presidential appointment.
3. The vp shall be an example of Christian conduct and conversation, including regular attendance at Sunday worship and Bible study.
Board of Education-- Note: There is a spot on the board of education. Lisa Rausch has agreed to be on that board.
Please reply to this email if you are willing to serve or if you have questions!!! Thanks for your consideration!!
YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CHRIST, YOUR CHURCH, AND I REALLY NEED HELP!!
If you feel that you have the gift of leadership and the time to commit to it, please consider one of these opportunities to serve!
Below are the positions that are open and a brief description of duties and responsibilities of each according to our constitution:
One person for the Board of Stewardship
1. Plan, promote, and carry out a Christian stewardship program in the congregation
2. Assure all members of the congregation understand that every good thing are gifts from God.
3. Assist all members in finding ways to use their time and talents to support the building of God's kingdom.
4. Appoint individuals as necessary to assist in implementation of goals.
5. Be an example of good Christian stewardship
Two people for the board of elders (positions still open from last year)
1. Assist the pastor in all matter pertaining to the spiritual welfare of the congregation.
2. Consider complaints and grievances of members of the congregation according to Matthew 18:15-20
3. Make every effort to induce members who have been negligent in their worship attendance and in their financial support.
4. See to it that all service are conducted rightly and in order.
5. Assist the pastor in arranging for pulpit assistance.
6. Prepare a list of candidate when there is a pastoral or staff vacancy
7. Consider annually whether the material needs of all staff members are being adequately met
8. Be an example of good Christian conduct including regular attendance in worship and Bible study.
Two people for board of trustees--
1. Be authorized to select custodial employees
2. Be concerned with the well being of all real and personal property
3. Maintain such properties
4. Keep congregation informed as to the state of such properties
5. Keep the congregation properly insured
6. Set all policies and fees for rental and use of property.
7. Enlist work crews for special repairs and improvements.
One person for the board of evangelism and outreach
1. Plan, promote and carry out an evangelism program in the congregation and community.
2. Plan and supervise religious surveys of the community
3. Arrange for the maintenance of record files
4. Enlist aid in visiting prospective members of the congregation.
5. Assist pastor in evangelism training
6. Consider the needs of individuals in the congregation, of aged, sick, poor7. Call the congregation's attention to social welfare agencies
7. endeavor to publicize the Gospel
8. Monitor pastor's discretionary fund.
9. Be an example
Vice President-- (Vacant for last two years)
1. The VP shall occupy a seat on the church council and preside at all its meetings (They meet on every month in which there is not a voter's meeting (7 meetings in all as we do not meet in December).
2. During absence of the president, the vp shall perform the duties of the office of president. In the event of a vacancy on the office of president, the vp shall succeed to the office for the remainder of the term. In such an instance the office of vp shall be filled by presidential appointment.
3. The vp shall be an example of Christian conduct and conversation, including regular attendance at Sunday worship and Bible study.
Board of Education-- Note: There is a spot on the board of education. Lisa Rausch has agreed to be on that board.
Please reply to this email if you are willing to serve or if you have questions!!! Thanks for your consideration!!
Daily Devotion: Monday, November 10, 2014
DEVOTION: They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request, "Sir, they said, we would like to see Jesus." John 12:20
If you've ever been up on the pulpit at St. John's you've seen this verse attached to the pulpit in big metal letters so that you can't miss it. I'm not sure who permanently put this verse in metal plates up there, but it is fantastic! (If someone reading this knows who did that I'd like to know.) It is an excellent reminder of what a pastor should clearly preach every time he gets up into that place. If a congregational member doesn't hear clearly that Jesus is the reason for their salvation and eternal life, the pastor hasn't done a good job.
Sometimes, even the pastor gets clouded in his thinking as the devil tries to worm his way in to our brains and confuse us. We need a constantly weekly reminder of our sinfulness and our need for a Savior. It sounds overly simplified, and maybe it is, but that is the job of the preacher. It is to convict each of the hearers of their sinfulness (preach them to the gates of hell) and then share with them the rescue from it (get them up off their knees and let the grace of Christ carry them to heaven.)
Anything else is, as good of a life lesson as it may be, or as entertaining as it may seem, or as engaging as the story might seem, takes second to the life saving purpose of the pure, unadulterated Gospel!
I was reminded of that this weekend as OAFC was here. Their sole purpose is to get the Gospel out to as many people as possible, and then let the Gospel do its work. They aren't flashy. They don't have trickery or salesmanship. They are straightforward Gospel presenters. They are ongoing ambassadors for Christ!
Let's all be ongoing ambassadors for Christ to the point that when people see us they don't even see us as much as they see Jesus in us! Let's represent HIM in all we say and do!
Prayer: Lord God, they want to see you! Let them see You in me. Amen.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: How many disciples did Jesus send out in pairs to every town and place where he was about to go? 72
If you've ever been up on the pulpit at St. John's you've seen this verse attached to the pulpit in big metal letters so that you can't miss it. I'm not sure who permanently put this verse in metal plates up there, but it is fantastic! (If someone reading this knows who did that I'd like to know.) It is an excellent reminder of what a pastor should clearly preach every time he gets up into that place. If a congregational member doesn't hear clearly that Jesus is the reason for their salvation and eternal life, the pastor hasn't done a good job.
Sometimes, even the pastor gets clouded in his thinking as the devil tries to worm his way in to our brains and confuse us. We need a constantly weekly reminder of our sinfulness and our need for a Savior. It sounds overly simplified, and maybe it is, but that is the job of the preacher. It is to convict each of the hearers of their sinfulness (preach them to the gates of hell) and then share with them the rescue from it (get them up off their knees and let the grace of Christ carry them to heaven.)
Anything else is, as good of a life lesson as it may be, or as entertaining as it may seem, or as engaging as the story might seem, takes second to the life saving purpose of the pure, unadulterated Gospel!
I was reminded of that this weekend as OAFC was here. Their sole purpose is to get the Gospel out to as many people as possible, and then let the Gospel do its work. They aren't flashy. They don't have trickery or salesmanship. They are straightforward Gospel presenters. They are ongoing ambassadors for Christ!
Let's all be ongoing ambassadors for Christ to the point that when people see us they don't even see us as much as they see Jesus in us! Let's represent HIM in all we say and do!
Prayer: Lord God, they want to see you! Let them see You in me. Amen.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________
YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: How many disciples did Jesus send out in pairs to every town and place where he was about to go? 72
Fwd: The Lutheran Hour: November 9, 2014
-------- Original message --------
From: Lutheran Hour Ministries
Date:11/08/2014 9:16 PM (GMT-06:00)
To: revklaus@hotmail.com
Subject: The Lutheran Hour: November 9, 2014
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