St. John's Lutheran ChurchWarrenton, MO

Pastor's sermon from Sunday, January 25, 2015

Watch it! Share it! Enjoy it! Especially if you weren't in worship yesterday!

http://youtu.be/xeVw1pmYohM

Prayer Request

Please pray for the family of Jerry Dyer who passed away this week-end after battling cancer. Many in our church and community know Jerry and his wife, Cheryl.

Revised with one more prayer request: Devotion and News: Monday, January 26, 2015

ST. JOHN'S MISSION STATEMENT
As the body of Christ, we strive to make disciples of all, focusing on the next generation, through growing...
UP in God's Word and Sacrament
OUT into the community by caring for physical and spiritual need
TOGETHER in fellowship to build lasting relationships in Christ
____________________________________________________________________________________________
DEVOTION:
When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though it was shorter. For God said, "If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt. So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. Exodus 13:17-18

Often people will ask why? A simple question, yet profound. Why is God making me go through this? Why do I have to deal with this now? Why am I suffering as I am? Why didn't I just do it God's way in the first place? We can go on and on with the why questions.

The answer is simple. God is having you go through something so that you can be better off on the other side of it. He is bringing you through the fire so you can be purified and refined. He is bringing you around the long way so you don't change your mind and turn back when things get too hard too soon. He is growing you according to His perfect and pure plan.

It is often hardest to trust God through the tough times, but that is when we must trust Him most to do His will and bring you through it. We want to trust Him, but in our weak and sinful state the devil is right there causing us to question and doubt. Then, just when we are ready to give up, God gives us more grace. He fills our cup of righteousness. He lifts us up, dusts us off and puts us back in the game. He prepares us for every battle, and even better, fights the fight for us when we are too weak to fight it on our own.

The next time you are going through something tough, look for God's action in it? Ask God what He is doing. See God's hand working in ways that you would have never worked on your own. And as you see Him working in and through you rejoice that he cares about you so much that he is doing it!

Prayer: Lord God, when I am down, discouraged, disillusioned, and just plain at a loss show me Your way, lead me in Your paths, fill my cup with Your righteousness, lift me up, dust me off, and show me the wonderful things you are doing in me and through me. Amen.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
YESTERDAY"S QUIZ:

Who was Moses' brother that became his spokesman? Aaron
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
TODAY'S QUIZ: Why did Moses take the bones of Joseph with him when they left Egypt?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
CALENDAR:
Mon- Confirmation 5-6; Family Night 6-7
Tues- Quilting 9-2; Bible Study 11:30-12:15
Wed- Pastor at funeral in Hannibal; Choir 7pm
Thurs- Praise Band practice 6pm; Carnival Committee meeting 6pm; FCA Worship service at HS 7pm
Sat- Worship 5pm
Sun- Worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; Worship 11
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
WORSHIP WORKERS:
Acolyte- 8:30- Dustin Toedebusch, 11- Jacob Winn
Ushers- Marv Hendershot, Don Luebke, Dave Callies, Don Nolte
Altar- Set up- Lucille Luebke; Clean Up- Terry McKenzie
Communion Assistants- Sat- Charlie Figura; 8:30- Steve McDowell; 11- Dave Winter
Greeters- 8:30- John Fahrni 11- Dave and Lil Winter
Lay readers- Sat- ???? 8:30- Steve Mc Dowell; 11- Jennifer Figura
Sat Pianist- Kathy Barrow
Organist: ????
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
NEWS:  Lots of new news. Make sure you read to the end!

FOOD, FAITH, AND FAMILY NIGHT TONIGHT AND EVERY MONDAY NIGHT!!
Come and join us every Monday at 6pm for a great time of food, fellowship and God's Word!! Come learn what it means to be part of a church family!
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
STEAK DINNER/AUCTION TICKETS ON SALE!!
Tickets are $25 a piece!! Raffle Tickets for the $500 drawing are also available.  1 ticket for $10 or 11 tickets for $20.

It is always a BLAST!!! Get your tickets this weekend before or after one of our worship services or contact your favorite youth to buy them from one of them.  For years this event has become known as a great place to get good deals on things and help out our youth program at the same time!!

___________________________________________________________________________________________
WE NEED DONUTS FOR THIS COMING SUNDAY!!
No one is signed up to bring donuts (or whatever kind of treat you wanna bring). Please volunteer!! Maybe it could be someone new instead of someone who has brought them before!!
_______________________________________________________________________________________
WE ARE STILL IN NEED OF A DELEGATE TO OUR MISSOURI DISTRICT CONVENTION ON JUNE 14-18 IN SPRINGFIELD, MO!!
You will represent your congregation ass we elect a new district president and other officers of the district and set direction for the next three years. It is an honor and it is interesting to do!
______________________________________________________________________________________________
NEW ELDER GROUPS HAVE BEEN FORMED
The person assigned to be your elder may have changed!! New lists will be posted asap. If you need to know who your elder is before they are posted, call the church office.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
BLUE ENVELOPES
When using the blue offering envelopes for either the Building fund or the DCE fund, please mark them accordingly. There have been some mix ups recently.
________________________________________________________________________
A NEW ST JOHN'S YELLOW PAGES TO BE PUT TOGETHER
We are attempting to collect your business cards and print them in the monthly newsletter as advertising. It will be free to member businesses. Many times members call and ask if there are members in the congregation that are in a certain business or profession. People would rather do business with a church family member if possible. Bring your cards to the church office asap as we will start this with the March newsletter.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
SPECIAL CONCERT ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19 @ 6PM!!
The Garms family, a southern gospel music group from Minnesota (I know the two don't go together, but you gotta hear them!!), will be at St. John's on Thursday evening February 19th at 6pm!   It is a family of eight with wonderful voices and a tremendous desire to share the love of the Lord in music! Mark your calendars right now to come on out for a night of music!!
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS ARE IN YOUR CHURCH MAILBOXES!!
Make sure you get them and use them for tax purposes, but also to take stock in how much you gave versus how much you had decided in your heart to give last year!
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
YOU CAN BRIGHTEN UP THE SANCTUARY ON SUNDAY MORNINGS!!!
Altar flowers are a wonderful way to share joy at a birthday or anniversary or to honor someone's memory! Altar flowers are $25. Call Marilyn if you'd like to brighten up the church and honor someone you love at the same time! 456-2888!! Or you can sign up on the flower chart in the narthex located on the bulletin board.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PRAYER REQUESTS:
For JOHN AND JO FAHRNI'S DAUGHTER JENNIFER, who will be having a hysterectomy due to possible cancer. She just finished cancer treatments last May and the cancer was supposed to have been in remission, and now it may be back.

For the CHRISTOPHENE FAMILY as they were received into membership bby affirmation of faith yesterday. They have already become an integral part of our church family!

For ROSETTA JONES who is recovering from a fall and a broken collar bone.

For WILMA WEIGLE as she continues to deal with many health problems relating from a stroke.

For DANIELLE MEINE, a senior at WHS, a friend to many kids at St. john's, and a rider on Karin's bus since kindergarten, who has a very serious form of cancer.

For ELTON TEMME, Harold Temme and Lois Frick's brother, who has had many seizures and is dealing with many other health problems.

For DENISE SCHLESSELMANN as she continues to work hard to bring the people of the Czech Republic to Christ. .

For TODD PONDER, former band teacher/director and friend to many at St. John's, who suffered a massive stroke and can't do anything but move his eyes. He is unable to breathe on his own. Here is a link to a fund that was started to help the family as they will have astronomical hospital and rehab bills for a long time to come.   At the bottom of the page it also has updates as to his progress.  http://www.gofundme.com/hp1ed8?pc=mb_em

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Devotion and News: Monday, January 26, 2015

Who was Moses' brother that became his spokesman? Aaron
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
TODAY'S QUIZ: Why did Moses take the bones of Joseph with him when they left Egypt?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
CALENDAR:
Mon- Confirmation 5-6; Family Night 6-7
Tues- Quilting 9-2; Bible Study 11:30-12:15
Wed- Pastor at funeral in Hannibal; Choir 7pm
Thurs- Praise Band practice 6pm; Carnival Committee meeting 6pm; FCA Worship service at HS 7pm
Sat- Worship 5pm
Sun- Worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; Worship 11
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
WORSHIP WORKERS:
Acolyte- 8:30- Dustin Toedebusch, 11- Jacob Winn
Ushers- Marv Hendershot, Don Luebke, Dave Callies, Don Nolte
Altar- Set up- Lucille Luebke; Clean Up- Terry McKenzie
Communion Assistants- Sat- Charlie Figura; 8:30- Steve McDowell; 11- Dave Winter
Greeters- 8:30- John Fahrni 11- Dave and Lil Winter
Lay readers- Sat- ???? 8:30- Steve Mc Dowell; 11- Jennifer Figura
Sat Pianist- Kathy Barrow
Organist: ????
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
NEWS:  Lots of new news. Make sure you read to the end!

FOOD, FAITH, AND FAMILY NIGHT TONIGHT AND EVERY MONDAY NIGHT!!
Come and join us every Monday at 6pm for a great time of food, fellowship and God's Word!! Come learn what it means to be part of a church family!
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
STEAK DINNER/AUCTION TICKETS ON SALE!!
Tickets are $25 a piece!! Raffle Tickets for the $500 drawing are also available.  1 ticket for $10 or 11 tickets for $20.

It is always a BLAST!!! Get your tickets this weekend before or after one of our worship services or contact your favorite youth to buy them from one of them.  For years this event has become known as a great place to get good deals on things and help out our youth program at the same time!!

___________________________________________________________________________________________
WE NEED DONUTS FOR THIS COMING SUNDAY!!
No one is signed up to bring donuts (or whatever kind of treat you wanna bring). Please volunteer!! Maybe it could be someone new instead of someone who has brought them before!!
_______________________________________________________________________________________
WE ARE STILL IN NEED OF A DELEGATE TO OUR MISSOURI DISTRICT CONVENTION ON JUNE 14-18 IN SPRINGFIELD, MO!!
You will represent your congregation ass we elect a new district president and other officers of the district and set direction for the next three years. It is an honor and it is interesting to do!
______________________________________________________________________________________________
NEW ELDER GROUPS HAVE BEEN FORMED
The person assigned to be your elder may have changed!! New lists will be posted asap. If you need to know who your elder is before they are posted, call the church office.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
BLUE ENVELOPES
When using the blue offering envelopes for either the Building fund or the DCE fund, please mark them accordingly. There have been some mix ups recently.
________________________________________________________________________
A NEW ST JOHN'S YELLOW PAGES TO BE PUT TOGETHER
We are attempting to collect your business cards and print them in the monthly newsletter as advertising. It will be free to member businesses. Many times members call and ask if there are members in the congregation that are in a certain business or profession. People would rather do business with a church family member if possible. Bring your cards to the church office asap as we will start this with the March newsletter.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
SPECIAL CONCERT ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19 @ 6PM!!
The Garms family, a southern gospel music group from Minnesota (I know the two don't go together, but you gotta hear them!!), will be at St. John's on Thursday evening February 19th at 6pm!   It is a family of eight with wonderful voices and a tremendous desire to share the love of the Lord in music! Mark your calendars right now to come on out for a night of music!!
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS ARE IN YOUR CHURCH MAILBOXES!!
Make sure you get them and use them for tax purposes, but also to take stock in how much you gave versus how much you had decided in your heart to give last year!
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
YOU CAN BRIGHTEN UP THE SANCTUARY ON SUNDAY MORNINGS!!!
Altar flowers are a wonderful way to share joy at a birthday or anniversary or to honor someone's memory! Altar flowers are $25. Call Marilyn if you'd like to brighten up the church and honor someone you love at the same time! 456-2888!! Or you can sign up on the flower chart in the narthex located on the bulletin board.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PRAYER REQUESTS:
For the CHRISTOPHENE FAMILY as they were received into membership bby affirmation of faith yesterday. They have already become an integral part of our church family!

For ROSETTA JONES who is recovering from a fall and a broken collar bone.

For WILMA WEIGLE as she continues to deal with many health problems relating from a stroke.

For DANIELLE MEINE, a senior at WHS, a friend to many kids at St. john's, and a rider on Karin's bus since kindergarten, who has a very serious form of cancer.

For ELTON TEMME, Harold Temme and Lois Frick's brother, who has had many seizures and is dealing with many other health problems.

For DENISE SCHLESSELMANN as she continues to work hard to bring the people of the Czech Republic to Christ. .

For TODD PONDER, former band teacher/director and friend to many at St. John's, who suffered a massive stroke and can't do anything but move his eyes. He is unable to breathe on his own. Here is a link to a fund that was started to help the family as they will have astronomical hospital and rehab bills for a long time to come.   At the bottom of the page it also has updates as to his progress.  http://www.gofundme.com/hp1ed8?pc=mb_em

The Lutheran Hour: January 25, 2015

The Lutheran Hour with Rev.Gregory Seltz

Sermon Text for January 25, 2015

"Just the Facts" #82-21

Presented on The Lutheran Hour on January 25, 2015
By Rev. Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour
(Self-Defense)
Copyright 2015 Lutheran Hour Ministries

Text: Isaiah 5:20-21

Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed! In a world of unsure opinion and unproven facts, I give thanks for a Savior whose love, life, and salvation are real. God grant that others may also be given a saving faith that is based on fact. Amen.

In 1951, during the golden age of television, Jack Webb brought a show over from radio entitled Dragnet. At the beginning of every show the announcer would come on and say, "The story you are about to see is true. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent." Those who remember the program can recall how Webb's character, Sergeant Joe Friday, walked without swinging his arms and spoke in a monotone voice. Investigating a crime he would question witnesses, victims, and perpetrators as he searched for, 'Just the facts, ma'am, just the facts."

Dragnet did well in the ratings throughout its run during the 1950s. In 1967, the program was revived, and although ratings were all right, the public didn't seem quite as interested in getting 'the facts, just the facts.' Although I can't be sure, it is my belief that the revival didn't do well because, during those intervening years, America had become a bit more skeptical, sophisticated, cynical, and, dare I say it, significantly more suspicious of being able to find "the facts." It is a trend which has continued, uninterrupted, to this day.

In January I was at Concordia University in Mequon, Wisconsin. Sitting at the student snack bar with about a dozen students I saw them respond to a car-insurance company which promised they could save you 20% on your bill. One of the math students calculated that if we took all the 20% savings promised by all the companies, pretty soon they would be paying us. They laughed when a beer commercial said their suds could make you one of the most interesting men in the world. One student observed, "The only thing that beer ever made me was burpy." They noted that if every car company compared its vehicle to Mercedes Benz, maybe Benz was the car to buy. No commercial escaped their wrath, their doubting dissection. They had come to know it's hard to get the facts, just the facts.

It saddened me to realize that most of these young men and women thought it was almost impossible to discover the facts, just the facts. I suppose they're pretty much like the rest of us. We don't trust. Do we trust our politicians to tell us the whole truth or do we think they give us bits of the truth, or partial truths, or truth with a spin on it? Let me ask you: whom do you trust? Whom do you trust absolutely, totally, implicitly, without reservation or hesitation? Historically the fast talking purveyor of side-show snake-oil, carnival barkers, and used-car salesmen have been distrusted. But, today, more and more police find themselves having to justify their actions before doubting community members. Growing numbers of individuals have come to believe college professors, once accepted as the ultimate purveyors of wisdom and truth, are now promoting their own agendas. The clergy, who once securely spoke of the justification which comes through the Savior's blood, are shocked to find repeated sexual scandals and do-it-yourself doctrines have them justifying themselves in front of their people.

It is little wonder that the average Joe and Jane are despairing of ever finding anything which looks like truth. Eloquently, the Prophet Isaiah described our age when he said, there would be those "who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter... who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight!"

Indeed, if Dragnet's Sergeant Joe Friday were to go out and investigate a crime today, he wouldn't say: "Just the facts, ma'am, just the facts." No, he would be forced to amend his simple request so it would sound something like: "Just the facts, ma'am, just the facts as they have been filtered by your own individual perspective and reinterpreted to fit your flawed and very limited understanding of what you believe to be the truth."

Am I exaggerating? Not at all. How many times haven't you heard someone babble: "There is no absolute truth and there is no absolute right or wrong. The most important thing in life is for people with different truths to never judge each other and always do their best to get along." That's the philosophy which motivates so many of our schools in which the instructors will adamantly maintain: "Our job is to teach the student how to think, not what to think." Well, that sounds good on paper, but it's not so good when you realize those teachers are saying "Right attitude is more important than right answers. Indeed, there are no right or wrong answers and truth will be found in each individual's mind." What balderdash and poppycock!

In life there is such a thing as truth. Real, absolute truth. I don't want to go into an operating room when my truth says the surgeon is going to take out my inflamed appendix and his truth is to give me a frontal lobotomy. I insist on my truth which says the dentist should fix the cavity in my molar; not his truth which says it's easier to drill a tooth closer to the front of my mouth. I want my car's mechanic to stop my car's engine from knocking, not rotate the tires. I want the person who delivers the mail to take my letter to the right address, the address I put on the envelope; not dump it in the mailbox he finds most convenient.

And to all who maintain: "What we really need to do is relax, be open-minded, and get along with each other; 'I say, "hogwash and hornswoggle."' Think about it and then tell me how pretending to agree when you don't is going to work. Tell me, how are you going to bring about peace between the cattle rancher and the environmentalist who wants to reintroduce wolves near the man's cattle? How are you going to find harmony for the Palestinian who wants to return to his family home which is currently occupied by a Jewish family? How will you find a place of peace for ISIS and Christianity, goodness, for ISIS and anybody?

Let's get along, let's all be open-minded and live in peace. That's today's most prevalent and most accepted philosophy. That being the case, I wonder, how will you make peace between someone who has been waiting in line for two days to buy concert tickets... and the fellow who cuts into the line in front of him? How can you make peace between two people who are racing to get the same parking space at the mall right before Christmas? How can you make peace between a person who believes all life is sacred and the abortionist who holds a fetus is fully disposable? I could go on, and you could too. On his best day Sergeant Joe Friday would be unable to get the real facts from folks who have such different facts; such different and contradictory truths.

So what are we to do? As I say, there are only two ways to proceed. The first path, the one we have been discussing, is the path of politically correct, non-judgmental acceptance. The pseudo-sophisticates of this world like that philosophy. The semi-smart intellectuals prefer that concept. They go so far as to suggest that the Bible, the Koran, and the many other documents of the world's major faiths are just different ways of approaching the same god who has revealed himself in many different ways and by many different names. But they never explain how the Savior who told His followers to love their enemies and pray for their persecutors can be the same deity as that of Islam who has said, "I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Therefore strike off their heads and strike off every fingertip of them." [Quran (8:12)]

Who can pretend that Christianity, which maintains we are saved by God's Son who carried our sins, resisted evil's temptation, and conquered death in His glorious resurrection, is the same doctrine as that of Islam which demands a person follow the five pillars of faith if he is to merit salvation? To try and enforce such an attitude is to force members of both faiths to live a lie. It is something they will not, they cannot do. Almost every religion knows that if it is right, the others must be wrong. And every person knows if his religion is not right, there is no reason to hold onto it.

But I did say there was another way to proceed, another path which can be walked. That path is a simple one: discover who has the truth. Christians hold that God has given us truths to govern life and salvation. These truths are not of human invention and they are not changed by our opinion or preference. God's truth, as revealed in Holy Scripture, remains true whether anybody believes in it or not; it remains true whether anyone agrees with it or not or whether anyone likes it or not. The Triune God has given us His truth and His universe and eternity are built upon it.

And if someone were to ask, "Tell me about your truth," we would say, Truth is a Person: it is Jesus, the Son of God. He is not our truth; He is the One and Only Truth; the only Way to the Father, to forgiveness and salvation. When our Savior was with us, He said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). He did not say that He was One of many truths; He did not say He had come to share the truth or be an Example of the truth. He is Truth incarnate.

What I am saying is this: in the Trinity we have a real God, who sent a real Redeemer into a real world to really die so we might really be forgiven and really be released from damnation and condemnation. Are you paying attention? If so, my friends, you realize, if Christianity is right in saying these things, then the other religions of the world are wrong. Period. End of discussion. And this, my friends, is that point where those of you who are fuming; those who are seeing red; those who wish to defend open-minded acceptance ought to be ready to rise up and shout, "But how do you know your religion is right? Give us the facts, just the facts."

That's fair. Let me see, where to start? If I said, "Christianity has the Holy Bible in which the Lord reveals Himself and His plan to rescue sinful humanity"; you would say, "Many of the world's religions have a similar book which makes similar claims. Preacher, just saying, 'I have a book' is not going to do the job."

Well, I could tell you that we have more than 100 prophecies made over many hundreds of years which point to Jesus as the Messiah. These prophecies were all fulfilled as Jesus lived His perfect life to rescue us from our sins. How about those prophecies, do those help?

Now if you are being smart, you will realize that no other religion has such a list of promises about the Savior. Nobody predicted Buddha would come or Mohammed. But Jesus and His work was fully outlined before He was ever born. No, you won't attack the prophecies. But you can say, "If I don't regard your Bible as being special, why should I think the prophecies it contains are special? No, Pastor, you're going to have to do better if we're going to believe you have the truth."

Fair enough. How about the fact that Jesus was crucified and, on the third day He rose from the dead? You have to admit that somebody rising from the dead is not something you see every day. Now, if you are being open-minded, you will concede anybody who conquers death has done something pretty spectacular... something only the Lord could do. Yes, you would have to admit that but first you would like more of the facts, just the facts. You would ask, "How do I know Jesus actually rose from the dead?" You'll want to know what kind of proof do I have of Jesus' physical resurrection.

Well, let's see. After Jesus was crucified He appeared to Mary Magdalene, to Peter, to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, to the ten disciples, the eleven disciples, to James, to 500 at one time, to the disciples at the Sea of Galilee, and when He ascended. People saw Him, touched Him, listened to Him, ate with Him, felt His breath upon them. How is that? Pretty good, don't you think? I see you look unimpressed. What's the problem?

And this is where you reply, "Preacher, you have just given me a list of Jesus' friends. Maybe they saw Jesus, maybe they didn't. If this were a courtroom, I would say you had produced "friendly witnesses."

And I suppose you would be right in pushing on that area. Of course, I maintain: if these folks were making up everything about Jesus being alive, I think they must have believed those lies. Remember, in different places, without an audience or support, most of the disciples died in defense of the risen Redeemer. They chose to die in terrible ways rather than confessing they had lied and Jesus was still lying in a borrowed Jerusalem grave.

But that's not what you're asking is it? What you are looking for, the proof you want from me is: "Do I have any of Jesus' enemies admitting He had risen." Is that what you're asking?"

And, after a pause, you would say, "That would be a substantial help. But you don't have any of Jesus' enemies admitting that, do you?" And I don't. Not really. Not in so many words.

But if you're looking for the facts, just the facts, there are a few things I would like to mention... things that we Christians don't talk about very much. Are you ready? Okay... here we go. There is little doubt that a Man named Jesus lived in Palestine during the first century. Most scholars, even most detractors, will concede He was crucified by the Romans. That information you can get from Josephus, a Jewish historian who lived shortly after the Savior left the earth. All right, we know Jesus was dead. What's that? How do we know Jesus was dead? Because it says when the Romans speared Him, blood and water came out. That only happens when someone is dead. But back to what I was saying. My question is this. If Jesus didn't rise, why didn't the authorities roll out His body, show it to the people and let them see Jesus was still dead. That would have ended Christianity right there. If they didn't have His body, why didn't they wait a month or so and roll out a body, any male body. When bodies get ripe and bloated, one bearded body looks pretty much like the next bearded body. They could have kept the crowd at a distance or had some people who kind of knew Jesus identify Him and that would have been the end of Christianity. Why didn't they do those simple things?

I can tell you why. They didn't do it, because they didn't dare. Too many people knew the truth. They had the facts. Jesus Christ, God's Son, had lived a perfect life; denied every temptation, took our sins upon Himself, and died the death we deserved. Then three days later Jesus rose and showed Himself to the guard and His friends.

My friend, we live in a world in which there are those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! They are wise in their own eyes and shrewd in their own sight, but today I have given you the facts... just the facts. Believe on those facts, build your hope for eternity on those facts and you will be saved.

Now, if you wish to know more about the facts which I have shared today I am ready to extend this invitation. We would love for you to bring your questions and yourself and call us at The Lutheran Hour. Amen.

LUTHERAN HOUR MAILBOX (Questions & Answers) for January 25, 2015
Topic: Self-Defense

ANNOUNCER: Should Christians defend themselves and if so, how? I'm Mark Eischer, here once again with our Speaker Emeritus, Pastor Ken Klaus. Pastor, greetings to you.

KLAUS: Hello, Mark. And how are we doing today?

ANNOUNCER: Quite well, thank you. And you?

KLAUS: I am also well.

ANNOUNCER: How nice these pleasantries are--especially in light of our topic for today.

KLAUS: That sounds foreboding. So, let us begin.

ANNOUNCER: It appears some folks are tired of being pushed around.

KLAUS: That's not so foreboding. That's understandable.

ANNOUNCER: They're tired of seeing Christians beheaded in the Middle East and elsewhere. They're tired of hearing their faith ridiculed by comedians and college professors. They're tired of being labeled and libeled as narrow-minded reactionaries. They're tired of being told they're not supposed to offend anyone but everyone is allowed to offend them. They're tired of seeing Christianity blamed for every evil in society... when the fact is, back when Christianity was more prevalent in society; statistics for marriage, family, education, and crime were far more favorable than what we might see today. So, the question is: "When should Christians defend themselves?"

KLAUS: Okay, let's see if we can give some relatively easy answers to a stack of hard questions. First, let's recognize that in Romans 12: 17-18, God says, "Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all." Avoiding revenge, and doing what is honorable and peaceable--these are a Christian's first goals in self-defense.

ANNOUNCER: But aren't there times when it's impossible to live peaceably with all?

KLAUS: There are. When that happens, there are a number of options open ... options which are appropriate in their level of response. First, when someone verbally attacks our faith, we can verbally defend ourselves and our faith... as did Jesus, Paul, and the other disciples.

ANNOUNCER: Do you know a place in the Bible where it says to do this?

KLAUS: Yes, actually, I do. Look at 1 Peter 3:15. It says we should always be "prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect." That last bit, the part about gentleness and respect, says our defense should strive to bring honor to the Savior and not cause a greater conflict.

ANNOUNCER: Can we defend ourselves in court?

KLAUS: Although most disputes between Christians ought to be settled out of court, when the world attacks us and what we believe, we can use the appropriate court system for redress. That is what St. Paul did when he appealed to Caesar.

ANNOUNCER: But how about when the crowd and the court are both against you, as would be the case in many Islamic countries ... there's no protection or freedom there to practice your faith. What then should be our defense?

KLAUS: The Apostles answered that one, Mark, when the Jewish Supreme Court told them to quit preaching, they said, "We must obey God rather than men." That's in Acts 5:29.

ANNOUNCER: Could a Christian soldier go to places like Iraq or Syria to help fight against ISIS? Could he defend his faith in that way?

KLAUS: That's a harder question. That soldier would be bound by his conscience and God's Word. In such a situation, he is serving as a representative of the state and the church. In such a situation he must be faithful to both authorities.

ANNOUNCER: What if a Christian were to volunteer to join the fight as a mercenary, and not as part of the regular army?

KLAUS: I think we can get onto thin ice here. One example might be the Lafayette Escadrille in World War I. American volunteers went over to France and flew combat missions before the United States officially got into the war. The religious reaction was mixed. As for me, I think the danger comes in whenever we talk about running to the fire, rather than waiting for the fire to come to us.

ANNOUNCER: And if someone breaks into your home to attack you?

KLAUS: In Matthew 26, Jesus told Peter to put away his sword... but when the Lord sent His disciples out as missionaries, he told them to bring along a sword, just in case. That's in Luke 22. I find nothing in the Bible that forbids Christians from exercising appropriate self-defense.

ANNOUNCER: So, Pastor, do you have an all-encompassing answer about self-defense?

KLAUS: Almost always, Christians are free to defend themselves, their religion, their families, and what is right. But that defense is always appropriate, respectful, and never "over the top."

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.

"You Are the Way, Through You Alone" From The Concordia Organist (© 2009 Concordia Publishing House)

"Christ Is the World's Redeemer" From The Concordia Organist (© 2009 Concordia Publishing House)

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prayer request from John and Jo Fahrni

Please pray that Cancer has not developed again in our daughter Jennifer , She learned yesterday that she must now have a hysterectomy and Overies removed, she does not yet know if it is Cancer. The Doctor thinks the prescribed Tamoxifen caused this.

The surgery will not take place until test results are available. She finished Chemo & radiation for breast cancer May, 2014

Jo & John Fahrni

prayer request

Terry Russell is defending his doctorate dissertation tomorrow (Friday) morning at 9.

Please pray for a calm smooth defense with out any hiccups.

It's been a long 5 years and we are soooo very happy it's almost over!

Thank you

Lynn

Devotion and News: Thursday, January 22, 2015

A lot of times I think that, because we don't see God face to face and we don't have His full presence right before us, we are a bit more bold to talk to him in such a way as to bring him down to our level. We don't really know him in all the fullness off his glory and majesty. We don't fear Him as we would if we saw Him in all His power. We hear the folks who wrote the Scripture talk about His majesty and glory and try to explain it, but it is so far past our understanding that we don't really even try to fathom it.

This is both good and bad. It is good in that we can go to him like a child can go to his dad. It is like if your dad was the CEO of a huge company and had all this great and awesome power to run this company and all the people that worked for this company were fearful of him, but you just knew him as the loving dad that he was to you.

It is bad in that we often try to bring Him down to our level and don't give Him the honor and respect he is due. It is also bad in that we don't always regard His Word and His Will as the absolute truth that it is.

Moses didn't know God. He had never worshiped God. He had no idea who God was. Turns out that the voice he was speaking to in that burning bush was the great I AM. He was and is YAHWEH!!

The Hebrew word for I AM is YAHWEH! He still is and always will be! He is eternal! He is the I AM! Honor Him like He is with your whole life!

Prayer: Lord, make me to treat you with the respect, honor, and love that you deserve so that I may grow in my relationship with you like I should. Amen.

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YESTERDAY"S QUIZ:
What does the name "Israel" mean? He wrestles (strives)with God. This is from the night, right before he met up with his brother Esau, that he wrestled with God from sun up to sun down.
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TODAY'S QUIZ: Who was Moses' brother that became his spokesman?
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CALENDAR:
Thurs- Praise Band practice 6pm; Carnival Committee meeting switched to next Thursday at 6pm

Fri- Newsletter assembly
Sat- Worship 5pm
Sun- Worship 8:30; Sunday school 9:45; Worship 11; Kelsey @ Concordia, Seward for midyear conference
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WORSHIP WORKERS:
Acolyte- 8:30- Dawn Sherman, 11- Sophie Tinnin
Ushers- George Hoelscher, Brent Davis, Gary Hoelscher, Ben Hoelscher
Altar- Set up- Marilyn Foster and Sue Ruhl; Clean Up- Lynn Russell and Elaine Schauer
Communion Assistants- Sat- Don Turnure; 8:30- John Hachtel; 11- Jim Rahn
Greeters- 8:30- Allan and Barb Dreyer 11- Dan and Lisa Rausch
Lay readers- Sat- Marcia Sevier 8:30- Jo Fahrni; 11- Jim Rahn
Sat Pianist- Kathy Barrow
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NEWS:
YOUTH SNOW TUBING OUTING THIS SATURDAY, JANUARY 24 AT HIDDEN VALLEY IN EUREKA
All kids in grades 1-12 are welcome to come along with their parents!! Cost is $11 for members of St. John's and $22 for friends and other nonmembers.

They will leave at 11:30 from church! Depending on the number of people going there will be a big need for drivers.

Deadline to register is Tuesday January 20!!
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FOOD, FAITH, AND FAMILY NIGHT CONTINUES NEXT MONDAY!!
Come and join us every Monday at 6pm for a great time of food, fellowship and God's Word!!
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SPECIAL CONCERT ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19 @ 6PM!!
The Garms family, a southern gospel music group from Minnesota (I know the two don't go together, but you gotta hear them!!), will be at St. John's on Thursday evening February 19th at 6pm!   It is a family of eight with wonderful voices and a tremendous desire to share the love of the Lord in music! Mark your calendars right now to come on out for a night of music!!
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CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS ARE IN YOUR CHURCH MAILBOXES!!
Make sure you get them and use them for tax purposes, but also to take stock in how much you gave versus how much you had decided in your heart to give last year!
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOME CARE AIDES NEEDED IN WARRENTON---
Day shift-- part time. Pay is $9 per hour.
If interested contact Star Resource, Beth Murray at 314-432-7827
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YOU CAN BRIGHTEN UP THE SANCTUARY ON SUNDAY MORNINGS!!!
Altar flowers are a wonderful way to share joy at a birthday or anniversary or to honor someone's memory! Altar flowers are $25. Call Marilyn if you'd like to brighten up the church and honor someone you love at the same time! 456-2888!! Or you can sign up on the flower chart in the narthex located on the bulletin board.
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STEAK DINNER/AUCTION TICKETS ON SALE!!
Tickets are $25 a piece!!

Raffle Tickets for the $500 drawing are also available.  1 ticket for $10 or 11 tickets for $20.

It is always a BLAST!!! Get your tickets this weekend before or after one of our worship services or contact your favorite youth to buy them from one of them.

For years this event has become known as a great place to get good deals on things and help out our youth program at the same time!!

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PRAYER REQUESTS:

For DANIELLE MEINE, a senior at WHS, a friend to many kids at St. john's, and a rider on Karin's bus since kindergarten, who has a very serious form of cancer.

For ELTON TEMME, Harold Temme and Lois Frick's brother, who has had many seizures and is dealing with many other health problems.

For THE PEZOLD FAMILY as they have the memorial service for Lisa's dad this coming Saturday.

For DENISE SCHLESSELMANN as she continues to work hard to bring the people of the Czech Republic to Christ. .

For TODD PONDER, former band teacher/director and friend to many at St. John's, who suffered a massive stroke and can't do anything but move his eyes. He is unable to breathe on his own. Here is a link to a fund that was started to help the family as they will have astronomical hospital and rehab bills for a long time to come.   At the bottom of the page it also has updates as to his progress.  http://www.gofundme.com/hp1ed8?pc=mb_em

For OUR CONTINUED FREEDOM OF RELIGION AND SPEECH in the United States, that we would continue to be able to freely speak the truth even in the face of opposition.

For our NATION'S MILITARY LEADERS AND SOLDIERS as they figure out what to do about the imminent threats from ISIS.

For MILLIONS OF CHRISTIANS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, who are being persecuted to the point of death for their faith.

St. John's Lutheran Church
Warrenton, MO

Pastor's sermon from Sunday, January 25, 2015

Prayer Request

Revised with one more prayer request: Devotion and News: Monday, January 26, 2015

Devotion and News: Monday, January 26, 2015

The Lutheran Hour: January 25, 2015

Sermon Text for January 25, 2015

"Just the Facts" #82-21

prayer request from John and Jo Fahrni

prayer request

Devotion and News: Thursday, January 22, 2015

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