St. John's Lutheran ChurchWarrenton, MO

Visitation and Funeral for Melva Meyer

Sorry this is so late. Here is the info for Melva Meyer.

Visitation 10-noon

Funeral - noon

Both at Pitman Funeral Home in Warrenton.

Wednesday, April 8, 2015

DEVOTION: Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him, tell of all his wonderful acts. Psalm 105:1-2

CHRIST IS RISEN!

When you think of all the things you have and all of the ways you've been blessed, you should be give thanks to the Lord, call on his name, and make known among the nations all that he has done CONSTANTLY!

If you're like me though you probably have taken the Lord's gifts for granted lately. You just think that it is always going to be there. You just forget that even your very breath comes from God. He brought you into this world and he can take you out. You just forgot that just three days ago you celebrated the FACT that Jesus is risen from the dead and lives and reigns in you.

Why does God want you to do that? Why does he want you to give thanks to him and proclaim all that he has done? It is for that very reason. If we don't, we forget about him and when we forget about him things start to go wrong. Then, after things have gone wrong, and we feel like we are lost, we begin to wonder what happened? We ask ourselves what's wrong. The answer is so clear! We've forgotten God.

I urge you today to give thanks to the Lord, to call on his name, and to make known among everyone you know what he has done for your own good. It will help you to have peace knowing that God is doing great things for you and through you, that he is in charge, and that he loves you.

Let us pray: Lord God, we thank you for giving us all we need to support this body and life. We thank you for giving us your Son, Jesus who died and rose that we might live forever. We ask that you would bless us today with all your gifts, so that we may proclaim your name in all the earth. Amen.

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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: Who built David's palace? Hiram, King of Tyre

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TODAY'S QUIZ: Who was Michal?

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CALENDAR:
Thurs- Praise band 6pm
Sat- Traveling fellowship Group Bus leaves at 7:45; Men's breakfast 8; Worship 5
Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45; Estate Planning Seminar noon
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WORSHIP WORKERS:
Acolyte- 8:30- Hannah Johnson; 11- Cara Klaustermeier
Ushers- Figura Family
Altar- Set up- Cheri' Hofeldt; Clean up- Wanda Turnure
Communion Assistants- Sat- Randy Fischer; 8:30- Don Turnure; 11- Dave Winter
Greeters- 8:30- Doug and Ruth Walters; 11- Mike and Naomi Johnson
Lay readers- 8:30- Jo Fahrni 11- Steve Robine
Organist: Melissa Pedersen

Pianist- Barb Dreyer
Projectionists: Sat- Perricone; 8:30- McKenzie; 11- ?????
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NEWS:

FAITH, FOOD, AND FAMILY NIGHT IS EVERY MONDAY NIGHT at 6PM!!

This past Monday was pretty low attendance as was expected being the day after Easter and all. Let's get it built back up and make it the wonderful thing it can be for our church!

Please join us! We want to play the Feud with you! This coming Monday is pizza night so bring your favorite pizza to share!!

It is harmless and painless. We are usually out and on our way home by 7:15!!

We want you to grow in your faith and all of us to grow together as a church family! Please try to be there!

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TRAVELING FELLOWSHIP GROUP TRIP TO THE CLYDESDALE FARM AND THE JEFFERSON CITY STATE Penitentiary LEAVES AT 7:45!!!! Please be on time!

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MEN'S BREAKFAST SATURDAY, APRIL 11 AT 8AM!!

Please come to breakfast. Biscuits, gravy, sausage, scrambled eggs and maybe even an egg bake.

We will continue our study of the SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE and how we as Christians need to be sure to retain our Religious freedom.

After breakfast and Bible study I will need help at Warrior Ridge Elementary from some guys to help set up for the Warren County Literacy Inc. Bookcase Award Ceremony.

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ESTATE PLANNING SEMINAR SUNDAY AFTERNOON, APRIL 12!!!!

The board of stewardship is sponsoring an estate planning seminar following the worship services. Attorney Brian Mense and Thrivent rep. Brian Wegener are scheduled to speak. Lunch and child care will be provided. Open to the public. Please sign up on the sheet in the narthex or call the church office to assure sufficient food and materials. Seminar is free, no cost or obligation.

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NINTH ANNUAL TAILGATE SALE AND VENDOR FAIR WILL BE ON SATURDAY, MAY 2!!

Tailgate sale starts at 7am and inside vendors will open at 8am and continue till 3pm. The Ladies Aid will hold their luncheon and bake sale from 8am-3pm as well. We are looking for vendors for indoor booths at $25 a stall and tailgaters to rent spaces outside at $10 a double parking space. There will also be PREMIUM rental space under the pavilion. Rent the entire pavilion for $75 or we will divide into four spaces for $20 each.

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STEPHEN MINISTRY NEEDS YOU!!

Stephen Ministry Leadership Training will be held April 12-18, 2015 in St. Louis at a hotel near the airport. If anyone is interested in being part of this ministry, and wants more details, call Joanne Hachtel, 636-745-8711.

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FELLOWSHIP REFRESHMENT SIGN UP SHEET NEEDS TO GET FILLED UP!!!
Here's what we have so far:
Apr 12- Hachtels
Apr 19- ???
Apr. 26- ???
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ST. JOHN'S YELLOW PAGES
If you didn't get your business card in this month's newsletter get them in to the office for the April newsletter!! This advertising is free to members. Many times members call and ask if there are members who are in a certain business or profession. People would always rather do business with fellow church members when they can.
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DO YOU HAVE A KROGER CARD? ENROLL IT IN THE COMMUNITY REWARDS PROGRAM!!!
Register online and have it swiped each time you shop.
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SAVE THE DATE!!!! OUR FIRST ANNUAL FALL CARNIVAL WILL BE HELD SEPTEMBER 12, 2015!!!
We are looking for ideas for carnival games and also donations of carnival game prizes for the vent. Please donate prizes into the cardboard box in the narthex. Also, if any one has an idea for a carnival game, or a game itself they would like to donate please contact Joanna Hoelscher at 636-485-0635 or Karla Christophene at 314-397-1375.

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PRAYER REQUESTS:

For FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF MELVA MEYER, as she went to heaven Saturday evening.

For BRENDA SCHOUTEN, aunt of Tony Perricone. Her cancer has spread and it appears she is very close to going home to the Lord...

For DANIELLE MEINE who is hospitalized with complications due to her chemo treatment. Even though her cancer is in remission she still has to do treatment for another year and a half.

For KELSEY OVERBECK, as she is anxiously awaiting a call to be a full time DCE.

For DAVE KOHRS who has stopped receiving chemo treatments and has placed himself on hospice care.

For BONNIE FRENZIA who is spending some time in Delmar Gardens for rehab.

For OUR CONGREGATION AS WE SLOWLY MOVE FORWARD WITH OUR BUILDING PROGRAM!!

For OUR DCE INTERN, KELSEY OVERBECK, that the Lord moves a congregation in need of her abilities to call her into full time DCE ministry.

For DAVE TINNIN'S MOM, JANE, as she continues to recover from several strokes and seizures.

For WILMA WEIGLE as she is having a lot of difficulty with congestion and possible pneumonia. .

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

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Prayer request from the Perricones

Please pray for our aunt Brenda Schouten. Her cancer has spread and it appears she is very close to going home to the Lord...Thank you..S and T

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

DEVOTION: As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? Psalm 18:30-31

Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!

Who would have ever made up a story like this? The Lord God is three in one and one in three. He is three persons and one God. The Father sent His Son to redeem the world by paying the penalty, which is the forsakenness of the Father, for us. In essence Jesus switched places with us. We were supposed to suffer hell and instead He took it for us. We don't deserve heaven, but he gives it to us.

No one would have made this up. It is too above and beyond and above our comprehension and understanding. And that is the beauty of it. If we could understand everything about our Almighty, omniscient, eternal, and omnipresent God what kind of God would he be? He wouldn't be much of a God at all. He is above us and beyond our comprehension because HE IS GOD!

His way and his Word is flawless! What he says goes, and what he promises comes to pass. What a wonderful thing! Isn't it comforting and peaceful to know that God always keeps his promises? Isn't it the best thing in the world to know that he can do anything and will do anything for you? Oh what a joy it is to know the heavenly Father loves you so!

Have peace today and know that God is the Lord! The same maker of heaven and earth is Lord of your life! He rules over everything and yet he loves little old you! Live in that love!

Prayer: Lord thank you for being God of the universe and yet caring enough for me to die on a cross for me! Thank you for imputing your righteousness and your resurrection to me. Amen.

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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: When Jesus rose from the dead what did he do with the linens that he was wrapped in? The one that was around his face and head he wrapped up and set it aside separate from the linen that was wrapped around the rest of his body.

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TODAY'S QUIZ: Who built David's palace?

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CALENDAR:

Tues- Election Day (no Bible study); Quilters 9-2
Thurs- Praise band 6pm
Sat- Traveling fellowship Group Bus leaves at 7:45; Men's breakfast 8; Worship 5
Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45; Estate Planning Seminar noon
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WORSHIP WORKERS:
Acolyte- 8:30- Hannah Johnson; 11- Cara Klaustermeier
Ushers- Figura Family
Altar- Set up- Cheri' Hofeldt; Clean up- Wanda Turnure
Communion Assistants- Sat- Randy Fischer; 8:30- Don Turnure; 11- Dave Winter
Greeters- 8:30- Doug and Ruth Walters; 11- Mike and Naomi Johnson
Lay readers- 8:30- Jo Fahrni 11- Steve Robine
Organist: Melissa Pedersen

Pianist- Barb Dreyer
Projectionists: Sat- Perricone; 8:30- McKenzie; 11- ?????
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NEWS:

MEN'S BREAKFAST SATURDAY, APRIL 11 AT 8AM!!

Please come to breakfast. Biscuits, gravy, sausage, scrambled eggs and maybe even an egg bake.

We will continue our study of the SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE and how we as Christians need to be sure to retain our Religious freedom.

After breakfast and Bible study I will need help at Warrior Ridge Elementary from some guys to help set up for the Warren County Literacy Inc. Bookcase Award Ceremony.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

ESTATE PLANNING SEMINAR SUNDAY AFTERNOON, APRIL 12!!!!

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

NINTH ANNUAL TAILGATE SALE AND VENDOR FAIR WILL BE ON SATURDAY, MAY 2!!

________________________________________________________________________________________

STEPHEN MINISTRY NEEDS YOU!!

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For FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF MELVA MEYER, as she went to heaven Saturday evening.

For DANIELLE MEINE who is hospitalized with complications due to her chemo treatment. Even though her cancer is in remission she still has to do treatment for another year and a half.

For KELSEY OVERBECK, as she is anxiously awaiting a call to be a full time DCE.

For DAVE KOHRS who has stopped receiving chemo treatments and has placed himself on hospice care.

For BONNIE FRENZIA who is spending some time in Delmar Gardens for rehab.

For John Wehmueller, brother in law of Tony Perricone, who has just been diagnosed with prostrate cancer and will soon begin treatment.

For Brenda Schouten, aunt of Tony Perricone, who has been treated for a cancerous tumor around her aorta. Although currently being treated with chemo, the tumor has grown about an inch larger than last month.

For OUR CONGREGATION AS WE SLOWLY MOVE FORWARD WITH OUR BUILDING PROGRAM!!

For OUR DCE INTERN, KELSEY OVERBECK, that the Lord moves a congregation in need of her abilities to call her into full time DCE ministry.

Family Feud Tonight at Family Night! Supper at 6; The Feud at 6:30!

Come and join us for Family Night tonight at 6pm! Just bring a dish to share and after supper we will have some fun playing Family Feud St. John's Edition!!!!

Monday, April 6, 2015

DEVOTION:  But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, on at the head and one that the feet. They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? She said to them, "They have taken my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him." Having said this she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you seeking?"  Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, " Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away. "Jesus said to her, "Mar". She turned and said to him in Aramiac, "Rabboni!" Which means teacher. Jesus said to her, "Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God. Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord"-- and that he had said these things to her. John 20:

CHRIST IS RISEN!!! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Can you imagine the frightening scene. First to see the stone rolled away, then to see two angels in the tomb and have them talk to you, and then to see Jesus himself, alive and speaking to you? Imagine the incomprehensible fear and joy all at the same time. Just try to imagine how you would feel, if you can imagine it.

It is real! It is true! It isn't a fable. It isn't a trick! He appeared to hundreds of people, both believers and unbelievers!   He appeared to Saul, who became Paul! He appeared to Thomas who touched his hands and side.

What joy! What relief! What peace! It is all for us! It is for us to rejoice in and find comfort in!   It is for us to REST in!

Rest in the sure knowledge of the resurrection for all who believe! It is yours!

Let us pray: Lord thank you for the comfort, peace, and rest I find in the resurrection. Help me to rest in it today so that all my troubles, my strained relationships, my guilt, may all melt away, that times of peace and refreshing may occur. Amen.

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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: What was Saul's son's name that befriended David? Jonathan

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TODAY'S QUIZ: When Jesus rose from the dead what did he do with the linens that he was wrapped in?

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CALENDAR:

Mon- Confirmation 5-6:15; Family night 6pm

Pianist- Barb Dreyer
Projectionists: Sat- Perricone; 8:30- McKenzie; 11- ?????
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NEWS:

MEN'S BREAKFAST SATURDAY, APRIL 11 AT 8AM!!

Please come to breakfast. Biscuits, gravy, sausage, scrambled eggs and maybe even an egg bake.

We will continue our study of the SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE and how we as Christians need to be sure to retain our Religious freedom.

After breakfast and Bible study I will need help at Warrior Ridge Elementary from some guys to help set up for the Warren County Literacy Inc. Bookcase Award Ceremony.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

ESTATE PLANNING SEMINAR SUNDAY AFTERNOON, APRIL 12!!!!

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

NINTH ANNUAL TAILGATE SALE AND VENDOR FAIR WILL BE ON SATURDAY, MAY 2!!

________________________________________________________________________________________

STEPHEN MINISTRY NEEDS YOU!!

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

For FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF MELVA MEYER, as she went to heaven Saturday evening.

For DANIELLE MEINE who is hospitalized with complications due to her chemo treatment. Even though her cancer is in remission she still has to do treatment for another year and a half.

For KELSEY OVERBECK, as she is anxiously awaiting a call to be a full time DCE.

For DAVE KOHRS who has stopped receiving chemo treatments.

For BONNIE FRENZIA who is spending some time in Delmar Gardens for rehab.

For John Wehmueller, brother in law of Tony Perricone, who has just been diagnosed with prostrate cancer and will soon begin treatment.

For OUR CONGREGATION AS WE SLOWLY MOVE FORWARD WITH OUR BUILDING PROGRAM!!

For OUR DCE INTERN, KELSEY OVERBECK, that the Lord moves a congregation in need of her abilities to call her into full time DCE ministry.

The Lutheran Hour Easter Broadcast: April 5, 2015

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

From: Lutheran Hour Ministries

Date:04/04/2015 9:16 PM (

Sermon Text for April 5, 2015

"One Step Ahead" #82-31

Presented on The Lutheran Hour on April 5, 2015
By Rev. Gregory Seltz, Speaker of The Lutheran Hour
Copyright 2015, Lutheran Hour Ministries

Text: Mark 16:1-8

"When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint Jesus. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb.....Looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back-it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. And he (the young man) said to them, 'Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is not here....He has arisen!"

Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed; and that changes everything for you and me, now and into eternity! Amen.

Let me say it again, are you ready? Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed! Alleluia! This is what caused the very first celebration of Easter, dear friends. It was the miraculous, the shocking, the supernatural resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth from the dead. Yes, Jesus was dead, three days dead, blood and water drained from His body, dead. All that came after He was tortured and crucified. His body was broken and wounded. Here is the historical fact. At only thirty-three years of age; Jesus was put to death at the hands of the Romans and at the urging of the local religious leaders.

But, Jesus' three-year ministry changed lives and it showed that He was truly the Son of God who had come down to earth to be with us, to bind up our brokenness, to pay the price for our sin, and to give us eternal hope by conquering our greatest enemy, death.

That was the plan. This was the point. Jesus even prepared us for this. Days before entering Jerusalem that fateful Holy Week He said, "See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles. And they will mock him, spit on him, flog him, and kill him." Then Jesus added: "And after three days he will rise" (Mark 10:33-34).

The celebration of Easter didn't start because of ancient traditions welcoming springtime. Easter isn't celebrated today because people really, really like to eat chocolate. Easter is not a holiday created to entertain children with egg hunts. No, Easter is the celebration of the resurrection of the One who was crucified for us. Jesus was killed and then miraculously was raised to life. More than that, He was abandoned by God and condemned to hell for your sin and mine. He took it all for you and me! But death and hell could not keep a hold on Jesus. After paying the price for your imperfection and rebellion and mine, Jesus rose from the grave and He preached victory to every spirit that would crush you or enslave you.

That's what 1 Corinthians, chapter 15, is talking about. The resurrection chapter of the Bible says, "'Death is swallowed up in victory.' 'O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?' The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 15:54-57). That victory, that victory is for you! That new life is a gift from God to you! The Apostle Paul, a man living because of a second chance from our forgiving Savior, he said it this way, "For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you will also appear with him in glory" (Colossians 3:2-4).

We celebrate Easter because of Jesus, a rugged and determined Savior who came to grab hold of your life and help you when you needed it most. And today He reaches out to you, dear friend. Will you believe? Will you believe in Him? Will you put your faith in Him? Will you let go of your efforts to control everything, or to acquire everything, or to fix everything, or to worry about everything, and, instead, will you trust the risen Jesus to give you His new life and His peace? Jesus Christ is real. He is alive. He is with you to save you.

That's what some sad but faithful women encountered on that first Easter morning. They didn't run to the park for colored eggs and chocolate bunnies. They went to a tomb to pay final respects to Jesus; but they were shocked by an empty grave and a message of resurrection. There, "they saw that the stone had been rolled back.... They entered the tomb; they saw a young man sitting on the right side. He is dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed by that. But he said to them, 'Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is not here, He is risen!

Out of the blue, shocking good news when you least expect it. That's what hit them in the resurrection of Jesus. And that is God's good news for you today too! Listen carefully to this promise of God for you from Romans, chapter 6. He says it this way: "Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him...So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus" (Romans 6:5-11).

I wonder if you believe that promise. I wonder if you realize how incredible that promise is for you, for all people. Jesus did it all, and He did it all for you, as only He can.

I recently heard that Oprah Winfrey scoffed at the idea, the assertion, that Jesus alone can be the Savior. She indignantly said that there are 1000s of ways to be saved, even millions. What she failed to mention though, among those 1000 other ways to be saved are 1000 failures to that task. Now, I suppose, in some ways she has helped folks, but in this way, she is leading people away from the only One who has done all things well, and He's done them all for you!

Salvation on your own? Well, here's what that would take: be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect, be holy in thought, word, and deed to live forever in the presence of a holy God, be righteous through and through, each and every day to everyone, every time. There may be thousands trying, but only Christ has succeeded; and then grace upon grace, He takes your punishment, your failure upon Himself to give you God's gift of life and salvation freely, now and forever! He is the crucified One. He is the risen One. You can have life in His Name, now and forever! That's Easter!

But, you still may be feeling like this can't be for you. Maybe it's too good to be true. You may consider your life too far gone or not the type of life Jesus would want to be connected with.

You're not alone if you feel that way. Jesus' disciples felt that way. They abandoned Him! Peter even denied Jesus three times! That may be why the angel told the women on that first Easter morning, "Go tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see Jesus, just as he told you" (Mark 16:7).

Jesus' own disciples didn't feel very much part of that first Easter.

Maybe you don't today either. Maybe you've never been part of a church, or, perhaps you left the church long ago. Maybe your doubts about God make you feel alienated from Him. Why would God ever want to befriend you? Perhaps you're mad at God because of hard times in your life. You feel disappointed. Or you feel like you've failed God and now you're certain that He could never accept you.

Maybe Easter Resurrection joy is the farthest thing from your mind today. Well, that's what the disciples of Jesus felt that first Easter too. They, like you and me, were overwhelmed by life, even overcome by the grief of Jesus' death. Their minds were racing. They felt stretched to the limit and stressed beyond what they could take. They felt hopeless and aimless. They felt lost.

But God had good news for them; the angel at the empty tomb sent them a life-changing message. He told the ladies to let them know that Jesus was going before them to Galilee. In other words, the disciples, they were not on their own even then; that Jesus was one step ahead of them. And you can't go wrong when you have Someone like Jesus one step ahead of you.

When the right people are one step ahead of you, that can make all the difference in the world. Let me explain. It's spring training time and teams are hoping they've assembled the right players with the right stuff but they've done more than hope; they've sent out scouts to make that happen. One of the most famous baseball scouts was Epy Guerrero. Guerrero grew up in the Dominican Republic. He even played in the major leagues for a couple of years. But he found his true talent when he began to scout for the Toronto Blue Jays. Epy had a knack for seeing greatness when others couldn't see it. He scoured the Latin American countryside for future baseball stars. He held tryouts in the rain. He even rode a donkey up a mountain in Nicaragua so a father could sign off on a son's baseball contract. Epy signed a gangly kid from the streets of San Pedro who became one of the best shortstops in major league history: Tony Fernandez. Tony was one of the roughly forty pros that Epy discovered.

People said Epy Guerrero had eyes that could see the future major league ball player in a young boy. In other words, he was always one step ahead. While others thought kids had no chance, Epy could see something more.

Jesus not only sees more for you, He made your life with God possible again because of the cross, in the resurrection! I'm asking you today to trust Jesus' vision for you by faith. You might be seeing only darkness, disconnection, despair in your life at the moment; but Jesus is one step ahead. Your risen Savior goes before you. Put your trust in Him. He handled all darkness and pain on the cross; He opened up a new beginning for you when He rose from the dead. God sees something more for your life in Him. Ephesians, chapter two, I love how it says it this way:

"You were dead in the trespasses and sins...But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when you were dead in your transgressions, He made us alive together with Christ-by grace you have been saved" (Ephesians 2:1-2, 4-6).

Your Savior is one step ahead. He graciously goes before you, meets you in your greatest need, and leads you to new life in Him. You can trust Him to do that. You can trust Jesus who suffered death for you, but made His way through it, so you could be brought through it, too. Jesus is one step ahead.

Have you failed God? Your Savior is one step ahead. Even when Adam and Eve failed God in the Garden of Eden, God was one step ahead with the promise of the coming Savior. The promise of Jesus is always one step ahead of our broken humanity.

Do you feel like your heart is cold and lifeless, bruised and burned out by a brutal world? Your Savior is one step ahead of you. He promises: "I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put it within you" (Ezekiel 36:26).

Do you feel alone, maybe like you have no one rooting for you, no one to advocate to help you? Jesus is one step ahead. He came to this earth to save you. He entered into your pain to rescue you. He forged the way through this broken world to be your friend, your Savior, even sending you His Holy Spirit as your Advocate, your Consolation. Jesus is always one step ahead.

He knows your personal needs too. You heard the angel say in Mark, chapter 16, "Go, tell the disciples and Peter that he (Jesus) is going before you to Galilee." I think that Jesus singled out Peter because Peter had failed Him so miserably. Peter fell so completely. Three times he denied that he had anything to do with Jesus. He swore that he did not know Him at all. Could Jesus ever have anything to do with him ever again?

But the angel said, "Go tell Peter...." I'm already ahead of his failure with My gracious restoration for him, for all.

Jesus knows your name. He knows your needs. He's one step ahead to help you out of the muck and mire you're stuck in. He doesn't cast you aside or forget about you. He loves you and He calls you by name.

The risen Savior goes before you into life, into death, and into the resurrection to eternal life. He even makes a way for you to receive this gift personally. The Apostle Paul said it this way: "Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, that just as Jesus was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:3-4).

When you believe in His Word, when you receive the gift of His washing in baptism for your forgiveness and life, your eternity, your rescue, and your hope is now tied to the Jesus who is one step ahead as you take on the challenging journey of life.

Sometimes life seems like you're climbing a mountain, doesn't it? If you're familiar at all with Mount Everest, you know that this summit was scaled only with the help and the preparation of the Sherpas. The Sherpa people live at the base of the mountain and they go ahead of climbers to prepare the way, to carry supplies, to scout campsites, and help make the trek successful. The very first successful summit of Mount Everest was by Sherpa Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary in 1953. It was Tenzing Norgay who planted the flag at the top of the mountain.

Or listen to climber John Reiter speak about his Sherpa guide. This was after he survived a devastating avalanche during a Mount Everest expedition just last year. He said of Dawa, his guide: "He's a perfect example of the selfless Sherpa people that we entrust with our lives while on this mountain and who we quickly learn to call our friends." The Sherpa experts are one step ahead and that makes all the difference in the climb.

But, for the mountain of life we need more and Jesus is the ultimate One who prepares the way. He said,"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me! In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you" (John 14:1-3 NIV).

Jesus Christ is alive, dear friend. He is risen from the dead. For your life, for your pain, in your sadness, through the turbulence of family struggles and relationship heartbreak, in your worry and stress, when you are puzzled and confused, even through death, the living Savior Jesus is one step ahead. You can trust Him with your life because He has gone before you and has faced every obstacle imaginable. He has made a way for you. Follow Him.
Jesus is one step ahead.

A band called Casting Crowns wrote a song about Jesus called "Already There." It talks about the hope we can have in our risen Savior who goes before us. Here's part of the song:

From where You're standing
Lord, You see a grand design
That You imagined
When You breathed life into me
And all the chaos
Comes together in Your hands
Like a masterpiece
Of Your picture perfect plan.

When I'm lost in the mystery
To You my future is a memory
Cause You're already there
You're already there
Standing at the end of my life
Waiting on the other side
And You're already there
You're already there.

Jesus goes before you, dear friend. He's one step ahead. He is risen! Your life is not up for grabs. Your future is not a mystery. By faith in the risen Lord Jesus, you have a friend who never leaves you, a helper who will not let you fall, a Savior who forgives you, and a leader who gives you the gift of everlasting life and leads you in His ways of new life.

Jesus is one step ahead. He has risen, indeed! And to those who believe, that makes all the difference in the world. Alleluia! Amen.

LUTHERAN HOUR MAILBOX (Questions & Answers) for April 5, 2015
Topic: Why Is Jesus' Resurrection So Important?

ANNOUNCER: Now, Pastor Gregory Seltz responds to questions from listeners. I'm Mark Eischer. Pastor, Easter, a very significant celebration all around the world, but why is Jesus' resurrection so important?

SELTZ: Great question. Our listener's question makes me think of something the Apostle Paul said, "If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile, you are still in your sins. Then those who have fallen asleep in Christ, then, have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied" (1 Corinthians 15:17-19). But then he goes on to say, "But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of all those who have fallen asleep" (1 Corinthians 15:20-21).

ANNOUNCER: And to be clear, when he refers to all those who have "fallen asleep," he's talking about people that have died.

SELTZ: Yes. The Apostle Paul is saying that if Jesus didn't rise from the dead, those who trusted in Him are lost forever. They die and have nothing good to look forward to afterward. He also said that if Christ was not raised, faith is futile and we are still in our sins. Paul is making two important points about Jesus' resurrection. First, Jesus' resurrection solved our sin problem. Second, Jesus' resurrection solved our significance problem.

ANNOUNCER: What do you mean by that?

SELTZ: Our sin problem is that every human being is flawed and a fallen person. You can see that every day. You can look at the news; you can see war, violence, hatred, abuse, arrogance, disaster. You can look in the mirror and see grouchiness, dissatisfaction, envy, anger, lust, grief, and pain.

ANNOUNCER: Now that's a basic teaching of the Bible, but many would still deny it.

SELTZ: Yes, but, even if you try to deny everything wrong with this fallen world or everything flawed about yourself, the ultimate evidence of our sin problem is that we all die.

ANNOUNCER: But God created us for something better.

SELTZ: Right, and that's the Bible's point. In order to save us from our sin problem, God sent Jesus to pay the price for our rebellion and failure and make His way through our difficulty and death. Jesus died in our place, He took our sins upon Himself, and receiving the just punishment for sin, that's what we deserved. Then Jesus rose from the dead, breaking the hold that death had on us.

ANNOUNCER: In doing so, He solved that sin problem.

SELTZ: He did....for all. And, now, through the promise of His Word and through the renewing gift of baptism, we are seen as forgiven and holy before God Himself. So, when we die trusting in Jesus as our Savior, we live with Him eternally.

ANNOUNCER: And that's the answer to the significance problem.

SELTZ: Exactly. Everyone wants to have a purpose, to matter on this earth. People seek significance in so many ways. They may try to excel in a job, or write a best-selling book, or win American Idol, or buy the latest fashions, or become a philanthropist, or serve in the Peace Corps. Human beings want to make a difference, make an impact, make their mark. It's a quest for significance.

ANNOUNCER: The problem is those things all come to an end. They pass away.

SELTZ: Yes, glorifying ourselves always comes to an end. But because of Jesus' death and resurrection, putting our faith in Him as our Savior, we not only receive His gift of eternal life, we begin to see life, even live life as a way to glorify Him and serve others in His name. The Apostle Paul said "we are God's workmanship," (Ephesians 2:10 NIV). Jesus' resurrection solved our significance problem.

ANNOUNCER: Jesus' resurrection gives us a different perspective in life; it gives us an eternal perspective.

SELTZ: Great point, Mark. People need to know that this life is not all there is. We are eternal beings. Without the resurrection of Jesus, Paul emphasizes we are to be pitied. Eternal death is a terrible demise. Facing death without the Savior is a fearful and awful end.

ANNOUNCER: And that separation from God eternally is a fate no one should experience.

SELTZ: Right and that's why we're here every week talking about a whole different way to "be alive." Because of Jesus our Savior, because of God's grace--His love and kindness--we receive a free and precious gift this Easter. Think about it; life everlasting--forgiven, restored, blessed, cared for; one that even cares for things and people differently.

ANNOUNCER: That's life with Jesus, now and forever!

SELTZ: It is. For more on that....I encourage our listeners to read 1 Corinthians, chapter fifteen for yourself. Find out more about the resurrection of Jesus as well as our life in Him. It's been called "the resurrection chapter of the Bible." You'll be blessed to really know it!

ANNOUNCER: 1 Corinthians, chapter 15. Thank you, Pastor Seltz. This has been a presentation of Lutheran Hour Ministries.

Music Selections for this program:

"A Mighty Fortress" arranged by Chris Bergmann. Used by permission.

"Jesus Lives! The Victory's Won!" arr. Robert Buckley Farlee. From Hymns for All Saints: Lent, Easter, Pentecost (© 2006 Concordia Publishing House)

"Awake, My Heart, with Gladness" From The Concordia Organist (© 2009 Concordia Publishing House)

"Come, You Faithful, Raise the Strain" From The Concordia Organist (© 2009 Concordia Publishing House)

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Fwd: Pray for Kenya and LHM Ministry Center

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

From: Lutheran Hour Ministries

Date:04/02/2015 5:01 PM (GMT-06:00)

To: revklaus@hotmail.com

Subject: Pray for Kenya and LHM Ministry Center

Lutheran Hour Ministries, along with the rest of the world, was horrified to hear of the attack that was carried out on April 2nd by the al Qaeda-linked extremist group al Shabaab at Garissa University College in Kenya. Our hearts break to hear of the Christian students whose lives were ended simply because of their faith.

Lutheran Hour Ministries operates a ministry center in Nairobi, Kenya and is blessed to do God's work throughout the country. The ministry center has held evangelism training workshops in this region and works with volunteers who boldly minister to students in Garissa.

Our staff in Kenya, along with the rest of the country, has been devastated by this attack and the increase in violence that their country has seen from terrorist groups like al Shabaab. Many are asking what could inspire this kind of hate.

In the days and weeks ahead, our prayer is that Lutheran Hour Ministries' staff in Kenya will be able to share the indescribable love of Jesus Christ as opposed to the unspeakable hate that was seen in Garissa.

Please pray for the people of Kenya and that God will guide Lutheran Hour Ministries as we minister in His name.

"They were just children, just attending class and were slaughtered for being Christian."

- John Maina
Director of Kenya ministry center

Your partner in HIS mission,

Kurt Buchholz

Executive Director

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660 Mason Ridge Center Dr.
St. Louis, MO 63141
1-800-876-9880
www.lhm.org

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Sermon Text for April 5, 2015

"One Step Ahead" #82-31

Fwd: Pray for Kenya and LHM Ministry Center

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