Prayer request

 Please pray for BETTY TUNNELL, a friend to many in the congregation who is very sick with pneumonia and other infections as well.

Thursday, May 28, 2015

DEVOTION:  What does a man get for all his toil and anxious striving with which he labors under the sun?  All his days his work is pain and grief; even at night his mind does not rest.  This too is meaningless.  A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work.  Ecclesiastes 2:24
 
The other day I was thinking how nice it would be to have a new car, then I remembered that I also like that I don't have any car payments anymore and I don't like it when I do.  I also thought that it would be nice to have a bigger back yard with maybe some woods behind it so that I can go for a hike or just enjoy it more, and then I thought about how much work it would be to take care of all that.  When I get hungry I think about the big meal I want to have, and after I have that meal I still find myself unsatisfied.  As the old saying goes, "The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence." 
 
Solomon knew this better than anyone.  He says, "I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure.  My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for my labor.  Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun." 
 
I have seen a lot of people over the years striving after the almighty dollar and always coming up short.  These people are never satisfied.  They never have enough, and so they never have enough to give.  Maybe you are one of them. 
 
Stop striving after meaninglessness.  Stop coveting what you don't have at the expense of what you do have.  Stop living life for the next thing or the next achievement, or the next whatever.  Instead REST in God's grace.  Eat and drink and find satisfaction in your work.  If there is not satisfaction in your work, maybe you need to find something else to do.  Maybe you can find satisfaction in working for the Lord. 
 
Don't take my word for it.  Take Solomon's word.  He had everything imaginable.  If he wanted it he got it.  The trouble was that he kept on wanting and was never satisfied with what he had although he had everything.  Do you get my point here? 
 
There is a peace that passes all understanding.  it doesn't come from things.  It comes from a relationship with Almighty God.  It comes from and through and with Jesus.  Strive for Jesus, or better yet, let Jesus strive for you!  Rest in Jesus!  Find hope, comfort, satisfaction, joy, peace, love, and everything else under the sun in Jesus! 
 
Let us pray:  Lord stop my striving for meaningless things.  Help me to rest in you.  Amen.
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TODAY'S QUIZ:
What other book besides the actual book of Jeremiah, did Jeremiah write?
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CALENDAR:

Fri- Assemble newsletter
Sat- Worship 5
Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45
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WORSHIP WORKERS:  
Acolyte-  8:30- Ian Brunson; 11- Jack Bunge
Ushers-  Marv Hendershot, Don Luebke, Dave Callies, Don Nolte
Altar- Set up- Terry McKenzie; Clean Up- Lois Boeger
Communion Assistants- Sat- Randy Fischer; 8:30- Don Turnure; 11- Charlie Figura
Greeters- 8:30- Randy and Patty Sweet; 11- Charlie and Lynn Figura
Lay readers- Sat- Kathy Fischer 8:30- ????  11- Sandy Robine
Organist: Melissa Pedersen
Pianist- Tim Sherman
Projectionists: Sat- Pam Bueltmann; 8:30- Terry McKenzie; 11am- ????

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NEWS:

PASTOR IS STILL IN NEED OF MORE SPONSORS FOR HIS BIKE-A-THON ACROSS MISSOUR!!

My goal is to raise $1,500 for Lead a Child!  One of, if not the, best mission organization within the Synod.  We provide funds for kids in Third World countries to go to Christian schools. 

 

Please go to leadachild.org, click on the "donate" button and follow the instructions.  Or you can just give me a check and I will send it on to them. 

 

A special thank you to those who have already donated!  Right now I am at $650!  Almost half way there!

 

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NEXT PLANNING MEETING SCHEDULED FOR SUNDAY,  JUNE 28 at NOON!  IT WILL BE A POTLUCK LUNCH!!!  EVERYONE IS INVITED!

 

WE WILL ANSWER TWO QUESTONS AT THIS MEETING:

1. What do we do well?

2. What do we need to improve our ministry?

 

The answers to these two questions will help us to focus our efforts and put together a master plan so that we can focus on building to fit our ministry needs and goals.

 

WE NEED INPUT FROM EVERYONE!!  THIS IS YOUR TIME!  BRING YOUR ANSWERS (along with a dish to share)!

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TRAVEL FELLOWSHIP GROUP'S NEXT ADVENTURE IS TO ROCHEPORT AND ARROW ROCK, MO.

They will have dinner and the J. Huston Tavern in Arrow Rock and then enjoy a live play "Driving Miss Daisy" at the Lyceum Theater.  Cost will be determined by number of people going, but should run between $60 and $70 per person.  SIGN UP SOON!  A $25 deposit is due by this Sunday!! Please give your deposit to Marilyn or put it in her mailbox or on her desk.  Don't put it in the offering plate.

 

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KITCHEN TOWELS AND DISH CLOTHS ARE MISSING!!

Check your drawers and laundry piles and bring them back!   

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CALLING ALL BAKERS!!!
If you have never been involved in one of our church activities (and even if you have), here is a new challenge for you!!  There will be a cake/dessert booth at the carnival on September 12!  The carnival will be open from 11am until dusk!  Donations of baked good and workers to man the booth will be needed!!  Desserts needing refrigeration cannot be accepted.  Work shifts will be for two hours beginning at 10am and will go till closing time.  To eliminate many, many phone calls, a sign up sheet has been placed on the narthex where you can volunteer!! 

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LITTLE LAMBS IS ENROLLING NOW FOR THE 2015-16 SCHOOL YEAR!!

Only a few spaces left!  Get those registrations in today!!  Get your registration forms from the preschool or from the church office.

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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 CARA KLAUSTERMEIER who is recovering well at home.

 

For DAVE AND CAROL KOHRS, who are now BOTH on hospice care.

 

 For BONNIE FRENZIA, who is undergoing radiation treatments at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis.

 

For OUR DCE INTERN, KELSEY OVERBECK, that the Lord's will is done concerning her call to a church to be a full time DCE.

 

For LIL WINTER recovering at home.

 

For MOLLY HENDERSHOT recovering at home.

.

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. .
  

 

Church building planning committee tonight 6:00 PM

Just a reminder about the meeting tonight at 6:00 at the church.

 

Hope to see you there

Thanks

Kent

 

Unforgiveness is the Poison We Drink

Dear Congregation,
 
In 21 years of reconciliation ministry, I have found that the most challenging issue for many Christians to overcome is unforgiveness. Here is a brief sampling of what I have witnessed:

• Gary¹ and Becky¹ were fighting over the custody of their nine-year-old son Jason. Both had married other spouses. Although they had shared custody for a few years, they could not agree on a parenting plan when Becky learned she would be moving over 2000 miles away. Unforgiveness of past offenses kept them from trusting one another and negotiating a deal. Yet, both wanted to avoid a court battle.  READ MORE

 
In this case and others, unforgiveness led to other problems in the lives of the individuals who struggled to forgive. Some of the problems included physical health issues, bitterness, lingering anger, fear and mistrust of others, loneliness, and more broken relationships.  

READ MORE ABOUT OUR NEXT EXCITING PROJECT

 

Make your tax deductible gift today!

In Christ's service,


 
 Ted Kober

 

¹ Although the situations are based on real cases, names and details have been changed to protect confidences. 

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The Lutheran Hour: May 24, 2015

-------- Original message --------
From: Lutheran Hour Ministries <lh_min@lhm.org>
Date: 05/23/2015 9:16 PM (GMT-06:00)
To: revklaus@hotmail.com
Subject: The Lutheran Hour: May 24, 2015

Sermon Text for May 24, 2015  "Power Connection" #82-38 Presented on The Lutheran Hour on May 24, 2015 By Rev. Gregory Seltz, Lutheran Hour Speaker (Does It Matter What You Believe?) Copyright 2015 Lutheran Hour Ministries     Text: John 15:26-27, 16:14-15 Jesus said, "When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning... He (the Spirit) will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you." Christ is risen, He is risen, indeed, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, His Good News can be yours today by faith. Amen. At one time or another all of us have probably experienced a blackout where, for some reason, there was no electricity because a fuse burned out, some electrical lines went down in the midst of a storm, or, perhaps, a transformer burned out. There was a broken connection. The refrigerator did not work, the heating and air-conditioning did not work, computers and phones were useless. There was no power. In our Bible reading for today, on the very night when Jesus was betrayed, He told His disciples that they were going to experience a loss of power. On their own, they would soon realize that they were powerless to deal with the deep issues of life. But the good news was that He, Jesus the Messiah, was not only their strength at the moment; He would be their power for life forever. Now, at that very moment, I think that they all believed that but times and events were coming that would test that confidence. They had witnessed Christ's power as He healed the sick, raised the dead, fed 5,000 people at one time, as he forgave sins, and calmed the stormy seas. But the very events of Jesus' upcoming death on the cross, His bodily resurrection and ascension into heaven would challenge their confidence, their faith, and tempt them to trust in their own power alone! So, try to imagine with me for a moment that you were with Jesus at that very moment in history. It is Maundy Thursday, the day before Jesus would be crucified. He had spent time in the upper room celebrating the Feast of the Passover with His disciples. He had humbly knelt to wash their dusty feet, something only the servant of the house would do. Then He rose and led them through the Passover Feast which the leader of the house would do. He even transformed that sacred meal into a supper of His continued presence with His followers, giving them His forgiveness and power for life, assuring them that He would be there with them whenever they celebrated this meal together. There would be walks together to the Garden of Gethsemane, conversations about what was going to happen. Then Jesus would be arrested and hear the mobs cry out, "Crucify Him! Crucify Him!" Now with fear surging through their veins, and I'm sure ours, all would desert Jesus and hide behind locked doors. Jesus' conversation is filled with honesty and comfort. The connection with Jesus would seem to be broken by His suffering and death. It would look like a blackout experience for all who put their faith in Him. Amidst honest words of the challenges for the lives of those who followed Him, Jesus quickly added words of comfort, assurance, and power to those who were His. Could this be true when everything looked so chaotic? Could there be blessing amidst suffering and struggle? A question I'm sure they asked, maybe one you are asking today is, "Why did Jesus have to leave this earth? Why did things have to change for them? Wouldn't it have been much easier to believe if we could see Him in person?" Truth be told, as long as He was here on earth and not exalted in Heaven as the God/Man for all, He would allow Himself to be limited. He was located in only one place at a time. During His earthly ministry, His physical, human body was not present everywhere. This would change, though, once for all after He ascended into heaven and was glorified at the right hand of the Father. It was indeed wonderful and necessary for Him to be here on earth, fully human, to take our place, to live our life, to die our death, and to rise again. Because of that He knows what it is like to be human, to be tempted. He understands us better than we do ourselves. Like us, He experienced temptation, hunger, pain, suffering, and even death. He was truly human. At the same time, it was vitally important for His disciples then and now, to understand that He is also true God, with a divine and infinite connection with God the Father. Jesus' promise to His disciples that night as they walked to Gethsemane was that on the day of Pentecost a new connection would be available to them, a spirit-filled connection to the God-Man who now sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. The Savior for all who is coming again to judge the living and the dead! The day of Pentecost, the day that the Spirit of God would be poured out onto the world, to bring the blessings of Jesus, the One sent by the Father to all who would believe, that's the day that the presence of Jesus would be expanded from being a limited, local Savior to One who could be for you, within you, wherever you might be in this entire world, and even through you as the One who loves you eternally! Who could grasp such a thing? Who could believe such a thing? The disciples would need the very power of God for such a wonderful thing. And that's what today is all about! The Holy Spirit would fix that broken connection with Jesus and light up their understanding in a new and a powerful way. What they didn't understand about Jesus Christ at the moment would finally make sense. When the Comforter would come as a gift from the Father and the Son, it would be like the lights coming back on in their hearts and in their minds! You see, when the power of the Holy Spirit is at your disposal, through the Word of God, just like them, you too can begin to understand that Jesus' life, and death, and resurrection, they were literally the eternal payment for your sins and the sins of the world. By the power of the Holy Spirit, you too can be reconnected to God by believing and trusting in this incredibly Good News. This new power was so electrifying; the disciples, then and now, would no longer be able to keep this message only for themselves. Now those who believe in Christ would have the opportunity to light up other people's lives. As Jesus' disciples share this great news, the very same Spirit empowers others to believe as well. For the three years that Jesus was with His disciples, they depended on Him. Now, that His physical form would be leaving them, they feared losing Him. Yet Jesus gives these words of comfort, "You will not be forsaken. You will not be left alone. The Holy Spirit, the Counselor, will be there to provide for all your needs." These are still His promises to you and to me. Jesus says it then; He says it now. "But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me." Today's a day, then, to celebrate this wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit as a Counselor, Comforter sent by Jesus to bless you! The Greek word for this Encourager, Counselor is paracletos, which we translate as paraclete. It brings to mind a legal context, a time when you are standing before the judge in need of an advocate. One who could come alongside you just when you need it most! The Holy Spirit, as a gift of Jesus by the Father, is like an eternally good defense lawyer as your advocate, as your help, as your guide. That's why Jesus would ascend into heaven. They would still have Him present in their lives, but not merely in the flesh, but totally present within them by the power of the Holy Spirit! Wow! In fact, the Spirit's job is to make the things of Christ ours, just as He did with those disciples then. He would be Christ's representative here on earth, even closer than a brother. He would give confidence in Christ to all who would believe. He would make the teachings of Jesus Christ clear, meaningful, and understandable for us, even giving us the confidence and courage we need to spread this truth to the ends of the earth. That's God's power to be connected to Christ no matter what you're facing today. If today you are trusting in Christ, yearning to know and follow His Word, if you are confident in Him to face the challenges of today, that's the Spirit. The Bible is clear, "The Spirit will glorify Jesus, for He will take the things of Christ and make them known to you!" Reconnected, empowered, the Holy Spirit through the word of the Bible and the sacraments of the church, He brings you to Christ, empowers and strengthens your faith. That's a power connection that lasts forever! He will assure you that Christ's forgiveness for the world; is a forgiveness for you. He will strengthen you to walk in that faith, now and forever no matter what you're facing. It's a power connection beyond our strength, one that can only come from God as a gift! That's the Spirit! Several years ago engineers building a new bridge over the East River in New York, they discovered a wrecked hull of a ship, sunken many years before, lying right where the center piers were supposed to be built. Powerful machinery was brought in to remove the ship, but the ship wouldn't budge. Then, one of the engineers had an unusual idea - why not have the tide raise the ship. Some strong cables were attached to the hull of the sunken ship when the tide was low. The other ends were fastened to a barge floating above. As the tide came in, the barge gradually lifted the sunken ship powerfully out of its sandy grave. It was then towed out into the ocean and sunk at a spot that would not cause future problems. This is how the Holy Spirit works with us even today. He comes with great power. He lifts us up from unbelief to faith or from a weak faith to a strong faith. He comes to make the connection with the things of Jesus Christ possible. As we read and listen to God's Word, the Holy Spirit is there to help us understand, to help us see Jesus Christ more clearly. In Holy Baptism the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, is there through water and the Word, bringing Jesus Christ into our lives, assuring us of God's love and the forgiveness of our sins. In the Lord's Supper the Holy Spirit is there reminding us that Jesus Christ is truly present in this holy meal assuring us that He loves us and will forgive our repentant hearts. One of the most important works or tasks of the Holy Spirit is to convict us about our need for a Savior (John 16:8-11). The Holy Spirit was a Gift to the disciples which changed their lives then. Fear, doubt, lack of confidence, a lack of understanding, they were no longer holding them back. By the power of the Holy Spirit, they now knew with confidence, the Christ of faith. When Pentecost came, the doors of their hiding place where thrown open, and they began to let everyone know about this wonderful gift that God had given them in Jesus Christ. In fact, they went from being silent cowards to confident public witnesses of Jesus, their Savior, the Savior of the world. How, by the power of the Spirit! You see, when you realize that you have something that is an incredible gift, that changes your life because of the One who gave it to you. It's easy to talk about that with others. You're no longer afraid because of your inabilities or struggles; the gift overcomes all that. If someone were to give you an expensive or priceless gift that you were not expecting, one that you could never afford, such as a huge diamond ring, a new elite sports car, a three-iron once owned by Rory McIlroy, or an all-expenses paid trip to Disneyland or Hawaii, you couldn't wait to tell your friends, or anyone who would listen, about your good fortune. That's just a glimpse of the joy that the disciples felt on that first Pentecost. This gift was far beyond their expectation. By the Spirit, now, they fully understood why Jesus had to die. The Resurrection made sense. They were connected! The Holy Spirit filled them with a new power and a full understanding. They ran out into the street saying, "Look what I have. Look what you can have too!" They were different people. And by the power of the Holy Spirit, by faith in Jesus Christ, you are too. By the Spirit, believers realize the eternal weight of what it means that Jesus died on the cross to totally pay for your sins and mine. Incredibly, in Christ, we become righteous in God's eyes, and by the power of the Spirit, the connection is made, the light comes on. The Apostle Paul said it this way in 2 Corinthians 5:21 "For our sake he made him (Jesus) to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." To be a witness of Jesus is to be prepared to share what you have received from Him. Or like Peter and John said in Acts 4:20, "We cannot help but speak the things which we have seen and heard." This Jesus is incredible, they are saying, His blessings of forgiveness, life, and salvation, they are so powerful, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, a witness wants you to know that too. That's what I hope to do for you today, my friend. Jesus doesn't call believers to be lawyers arguing and debating with people about Him, so I'm not going to do that. He doesn't tell us to get in people's faces and make them angry and upset. Our task is simply to testify to the truth of ourselves without Christ and to be witnesses of Him as the only One who can and did call us out of darkness into His marvelous light. 1 Corinthians 12:3 says it best. "No one can say 'Jesus is Lord' except by the Holy Spirit." That includes every one of us. If we talk about truth here, it's biblical truth, it's Christ's truth. His Word calls us to repentance and to faith. His Word tells us what is right and wrong. His Word brings life and salvation to light. I'm testifying so that you too can believe in Him for yourself! In World War II, the American and British prisoners of war in one camp had built a homemade radio. One day, they heard the news that the German High Command had surrendered and the war was over. They roared in celebration; men walked around singing and shouting, waving at the guards, even laughing at the dogs. They knew something the Germans didn't. Three nights later, the Germans finally heard the news. They fled into the darkness, leaving the gates unlocked. The next morning, the British and Americans walked out free. Yet they had truly been set free three days earlier by the news that the war was over. This is the power of Pentecost. This is the power of the Holy Spirit as we come to faith in Jesus Christ in this broken, sinful world. By the death and resurrection of Jesus, real freedom has been won for us, for all. It's true, right now and by the power of the Spirit, it's a freedom that can be yours by faith today. The Bible brings us a freedom that most of the world doesn't know anything about. We are free from sin. We're free from death and the devil. We're free to live abundantly now and into eternity. We are free to live for others, because God in Christ has done all things well for us. By the Spirit, through God's Word, we've been connected to Christ, who has reconnected us to God the Father. That's victory. The broken connection with God has been fixed; it's been delivered. Connected to His Word; the power is flowing. The light is burning bright. It's the power of faith in Jesus, by the Spirit, that will change your life forever. Count on it. Amen. LUTHERAN HOUR MAILBOX (Questions & Answers) for May 24, 2015 Topic: Does It Matter What You Believe? ANNOUNCER: Does it matter what you believe? That's our question today for Pastor Gregory Seltz. I'm Mark Eischer. The word believe has kind of become a slogan, as though you just have to be sincere and whatever you believe, somehow it helps you. SELTZ: Yeah, I've seen that slogan on plaques, and rings, and necklaces, and tee shirts, all over the place. Mark, that question assumes that there is really no absolute truth in which to believe; and then, as long as we are convinced that something is true and believe in it, that is all that is necessary. ANNOUNCER: Sort of like saying if you believe in something strong enough, it will surely happen. It'll come true for you. SELTZ: Right, but unfortunately, that is not the case. Just believing in something will not make it come true. Truth is something independent of belief. For example, I can believe with all my heart that my team will win the March Madness basketball tournament, but that doesn't guarantee that they will. In fact, this year, my team didn't even make the tournament. ANNOUNCER: Then, belief, really, is only as good as the object in which you put that trust. SELTZ: Exactly. The power of faith is not the act of believing. When the Bible talks about faith, it doesn't emphasize the act of believing so much, but rather the object of our belief. In John 3, it says, "He that believes on the Son has everlasting life: and he that believes not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abides on him" (John 3:36 KJV). Jesus Himself says it very clearly, "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me" (John 14:6 KJV). ANNOUNCER: Contrast that with how things are today, people are putting more emphasis on believing whatever they want rather than believing in what they can trust. SELTZ: I think you are right, but now believing in the right thing is vital, but passionately trusting in the truth is important too. Faith is not just accepting the facts. It is believing with trust! For example, faith in Jesus is believing what the Bible says about Him is true, and because of that I am willing to put my life in His hands. I trust He can forgive me. I trust He can grant me eternal life. I trust that He can guide me with His Word. He's the power of true faith. ANNOUNCER: I think that puts faith in the right perspective. Jesus is unique, that's why the Bible says there is only one faith in which we can put full trust and confidence. It's because of Jesus; it's because of what He uniquely has done for all, that's why faith in Him is powerful and unique. SELTZ: Well said. Just look in the Bible and you'll see all kinds of stories and events to that effect. Remember the story of Paul and Silas in the book of Acts when they were in prison and God caused an earthquake to free them from prison. The doors swung open, the chains were broken. When the guard saw this, he knew that if these prisoners escaped, it would mean his life. This event would change his life. Then, he saw Paul and Silas didn't escape, so he cries out, "What must I do to be saved?" Paul and Silas said it very simply, "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved, you and your whole household." ANNOUNCER: And it wasn't just generically "believe and you'll be saved" or "trust in your own efforts and you'll be saved." SELTZ: Absolutely not. He said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ." In the Bible, Jesus must be the object of true faith. He is the One in which you can trust. He is the One who suffered and died on the cross for our sins. He is the One that rose from the dead and promised us that we too would rise one day to join Him in our heavenly home. ANNOUNCER: Scripture makes it clear that to believe doesn't mean that we merely accept some facts about something or even passionately believe in something; that makes it true. It is more than going through the motions of acknowledging something or getting all fired up for a cause. SELTZ: Right, what makes the difference is the object of our belief. And, of course, we passionately believe in Him. The writers of Proverbs says it this way, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." And the Apostle Peter said it even more plainly, "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." ANNOUNCER: Passion in the right place! SELTZ: Absolutely. ANNOUNCER: Thank you, Pastor Seltz. The power of true faith is its object and there is no better object for our faith than the Lord Jesus Christ. This has been a presentation of Lutheran Hour Ministries. Music Selections for this program: "A Mighty Fortress" arranged by Chris Bergmann. Used by permission. "From All That Dwell Below the Skies" arr. Henry Gerike. Used by permission. "He's Risen, He's Risen" From The Concordia Organist (© 2009 Concordia Publishing House) "If Christ Had Not Been Raised from Death" From The Concordia Organist (© 2009 Concordia Publishing House)    Print this sermon Sign up for LHM news Daily Devotions Visit lutheranhour.org Change my email Contact Us   subscribe / unsubscribe / sign-up for plain text / visit our website   660 Mason Ridge Center Dr. St. Louis, MO 63141 1-800-876-9880 www.lhm.org

Cara is home!

 Cara had a good night and a good morning!  Everything is going well!  She is home and resting comfortably!
 
Thank you for all your prayers, care, and friendship!  It means a lot to us to know that God has put so many wonderful people into our lives!
 
See you tonight or tomorrow for worship!
 
Pastor

Building Committee Meeting Moved to 6pm on Wed!!

 Our building committee meeting has been moved to 6pm on Wed, May 27 so that choir members can attend if they wish! 
 
Please mark your calendars and make note of the change!!  Thank you!

Quiz for today

 Sorry, my mind is a bit elsewhere today.  I meant to leave a blank at the word "beating". 
 
 
Here's another one:
 
"When words are __________ sin is not absent, but he who __________ his tongue is wise." 
 
 

Thursday, May 21, 2015

DEVOTION:  1 Peter 1:6-7  "In this you rejoice, though now for a while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith-- more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire-- may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."
 
As I have sat and watched Cara suffer quite a bit the last couple days, I was reminded of this verse.  I'm also reminded of the saying, "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." 
 
As much as I want to help Cara and as much as I just want to take the pain away from her, I know that this "testing", this "trial"  will give her a bigger and greater perspective and will make her a tougher more resolute and resilient human being. She is going to have a story to tell her own kids some day.  She will also be able to relate to those who are truly suffering better as well. 
 
The main thing is that she will have at least a little better understanding of what Jesus went through on the cross.  It wasn't the pretty thing we make it out to be on our crucifixes and pretty cross pictures.  It was gory.  It was excruciatingly painful.  It was the worst pain anyone could ever go through.  Then imagine all that physical pain and to top it all off, being forsaken by the Father, suffering actual hell.  Nothing can compare. 
 
Being in pain also helps you to realize how helpless and out of control you really are.  It makes you, forces you, to rely on the Lord Almighty for help, strength, and your very life. 
 
Soon Cara's pain will be gone and this will be a distant memory for her.  Right now it is acute and real.... and it is good.  It is good because as Paul says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  Cara is learning that full well today!  Praise be to God!
 
Prayer: Thank you God for carrying Cara through this journey.  Help her to bear the pain with confidence that you are with her and that you are strengthening her through it.  Amen. 
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:  
What did Solomon ask for when God told him to ask for anything he wanted? 
2 Chronicles 1:7-12   Wisdom and Knowledge were requested by Solomon.  Because he did not ask for riches, wealth or

honor God gave him all the riches and honor any king ever had or ever will have.  By the way, the wisdom and knowledge

were granted.

 

__________________________________________________________________________________________
TODAY'S QUIZ:
Fill in the blank:  A fool's lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating.
___________________________________________________________________________________

CALENDAR:

Fri- Last day of school (1/2 day)
Sat- Worship 5
Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
WORSHIP WORKERS:  
Acolyte-  8:30- Dustin Toedebusch; 11- Kailyn Blechle
Ushers-  8:30- George, Gary, and Ben Hoelscher, and Brent Davis
Altar- Set up- Lucille Luebke; Clean Up- Lynn Russell and Elaine Schauer
Communion Assistants- Sat- Dave Winter; 8:30- Rich Talbert; 11- Steve Robine
Greeters- 8:30- Sharon Spoede; 11- Mike and Naomi Johnson
Lay readers- Sat- Kathy Fischer?? 8:30- Jacob Nagel  11- Steve Robine
Organist: Melissa Pedersen
Pianist- Kathy Barrow
Projectionists: Sat- Pam Bueltmann; 8:30- Kailyn Blechle; 11am- Hannah Johnson

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
NEWS:

OUR FIRST BUILDING PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING WILL BE NEXT WEDNESDAY, MAY 27 AT 7PM!

Elmer Wind with LCEF and Wind Architecture will be there to give direction and to help us to move forward and go in the right direction. 

 

Many signed up to attend and participate in this meeting yesterday, but all are welcome to attend to hear what he has to say and to understand the procedure we will be following for the future of the building program. 

 

Please let us know you are coming by replying to this email!  Thanks!

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

ORGANIST NEEDED

Our current organist, Melissa Pedersen, has accepted a call to teach in Fort Dodge, Iowa being in August.  Therefore we will need a new FULL TIME organist by then.  If you know of anyone who is available every Sunday, please give me their name and number!  THANK YOU!

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

NURSERY HELPERS NEEDED FOR ONCE A MONTH DURING WORSHIP

Do you like little children?  Do you like to hold babies?  Do you want to help out our many young families that are joining church?   Here's your chance!

 

CURRENTLY FOR 11AM SERVICE I HAVE

Karla Christophene

Dawn Frye

Jayme Vessell

Nicky Sellman

 

(If I had one more for this service it would be excellent, especially when there are 5 Sundays in a month and when the person scheduled can't make it.)

 

If you'd like to do the 8:30 service or Saturday night, please let me know! 

 

You don't have to be a mom to do this.  You just have to love kids and be able to take care of them for an hour on Sunday morning.

 

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

 PASTOR IS BIKING ACROSS MISSOURI JUNE 21-26!

As much as I need to get in shape, this is more to raise money for www.leadachild.org.   If you'd like to donate to this most worthy cause, go to the website, click on the donate button, find the space that says "Lead a Child Bible club, enter your amount and enter my name.  Then you can pay by check, e-check, or credit/debit card.

 

Thank you for your support!

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

CALLING ALL BAKERS!!!
If you have never been involved in one of our church activities (and even if you have), here is a new challenge for you!!  There will be a cake/dessert booth at the carnival on September 12!  The carnival will be open from 11am until dusk!  Donations of baked good and workers to man the booth will be needed!!  Desserts needing refrigeration cannot be accepted.  Work shifts will be for two hours beginning at 10am and will go till closing time.  To eliminate many, many phone calls, a sign up sheet has been placed on the narthex where you can volunteer!! 

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

LITTLE LAMBS IS ENROLLING NOW FOR THE 2015-16 SCHOOL YEAR!!

Only a few spaces left!  Get those registrations in today!!  Get your registration forms from the preschool or from the church office.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DO YOU HAVE A KROGER CARD?  ENROLL IT IN THE COMMUNITY REWARDS PROGRAM!!!
Register online and have it swiped each time you shop. 
________________________________________________________________________________________________
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.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PRAYER REQUESTS: 

For CARA KLAUSTERMEIER who is recovering from surgery to repair her sunken ribcage.  She will be in the hospital the rest of this week.

 

For CAROL KOHRS, who is hospitalized with another infection.

 

For MARV HENDERSHOT who is home and recovering after a brief hospitalization due to weakness and illness.

 

For BONNIE FRENZIA, who is hospitalized with a mass on her lung.

 

For OUR DCE INTERN, KELSEY OVERBECK, that the Lord's will is done concerning her call to a church to be a full time DCE.

 

For LIL WINTER who has gone home to recover after surgery

 

For MOLLY HENDERSHOT who is at home and recovering well.

 

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

 

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. .
  

 

Cara update

Cara is doing ok.  She Woke up with pain in the middle of the night.  Has a lot of milestones to accomplish today.  She needs to walk up and down the hall and sit in a chair for a couple hours.  They may also take the epidural out along with the catheter.  She has been smiling, laughing, and eating though. With the Lord healing her she'll make it through just fine! 

Cara update

Karin,Cara, and I want to thank you all for all the prayers and support.  

The surgery went very well.  Cara is resting comfortably in her room.  She is sore and her chest is tight and she is very sleepy. 

 She has an epidural to block the majority of the pain for the next two days and then will go to oral pain meds. 

She will most likely be in the hospital till Sunday.  And then be on bed rest for the most part for the next month or so.

Again, thank you all for being such wonderful brothers and sisters in Christ!  We love you!

Pastor

Very funny Book Report on the Bible

-------- Original message --------
From: Pamb <pbueltmann@centurytel.net>
Date: 05/18/2015 3:28 PM (GMT-06:00)
To: Klaustermeier Jeremy <revklaus@hotmail.com>
Subject: Fw: Book Report

Pastor, I haven't read all of this, but thought it might be good entertainment sometime along the way in the hospital.  Pamb

 

 

 

  Subj: Childs report on the Bible

Book report on the entire Bible (ENJOY! !) I am glad that I did not need to grade this paper. The young man has real talent though. A little shaky on dates but good chronology. A sixth grade child was asked to write a book report on the entire Bible. Here is what he wrote; The Children's Bible in a Nutshell In the beginning, which occurred near the start, there was nothing but God, darkness, and some gas. The Bible says,"The Lord thy God is one," but I think He must be a lot older than that. Anyway, God said, "Give me a light!" and someone did. Then God made the world. He split the Adam and made Eve. Adam and Eve were naked, but they weren't embarrassed because mirrors hadn't been invented yet. Adam and Eve disobeyed God by eating one bad apple, so they were driven from the Garden of Eden ... Not sure what they were driven in though, because they didn't have cars. Adam and Eve had a son, Cain, who hated his brother as long as he was Abel. Pretty soon all of the early people died off, except for Methuselah, who lived to be like a million or something. One of the next important people was Noah, who was a good guy, but one of his kids was kind of a Ham. Noah built a large boat and put his family and some animals on it. He asked some other people to join him, but they said they would have to take a rain check. After Noah came Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Jacob was more famous than his brother, Esau, because Esau sold Jacob his birthmark in exchange for some pot roast. Jacob had a son named Joseph who wore a really loud sports coat. Another important Bible guy is Moses, whose real name was Charlton Heston. Moses led the Israel Lights out of Egypt and away from the evil Pharaoh after God sent ten plagues on Pharaoh's people. These plagues included frogs, mice, lice, bowels, and no cable. God fed the Israel Lights every day with manicotti. Then he gave them His Top Ten Commandments. These include: don't lie, cheat, smoke, dance, or covet your neighbor's stuff. Oh, yeah, I just thought of one more: Humor thy father and thy mother. One of Moses' best helpers was Joshua who was the first Bible guy to use spies. Joshua fought the battle of Geritol and the fence fell over on the town. After Joshua came David. He got to be king by killing a giant with a slingshot. He had a son named Solomon who had about 300 wives and 500 porcupines. My teacher says he was wise, but that doesn't sound very wise to me. After Solomon there were a bunch of major league prophets. One of these was Jonah, who was swallowed by a big whale and then barfed up on the shore. There were also some minor league prophets, but I guess we  don't have to worry about them. After the Old Testament came the New Testament. Jesus is the star of The New Testament. He was born in Bethlehem in a barn. (I wish I had been born in a barn too, because my mom is always saying to me, "Close the door! Were you born in a barn?" It would be nice to say, ''As a matter of fact, I was.'') During His life, Jesus had many arguments with sinners like the Pharisees and the Republicans. Jesus also had twelve opossums.The worst one was Judas Asparagus. Judas was so evil that they named a terrible vegetable after him. Jesus was a great man. He healed many leopards and even preached to some Germans on the Mount. But the Democrats and all those guys put Jesus on trial before Pontius the Pilot. Pilot didn't stick up for Jesus. He just washed his hands instead. Anyways, Jesus died for our sins, then came back to life again. He went up to Heaven but will be back at the end of the Aluminum. His return is foretold in the book of Revolution. (Nothing bad will happen if you don't forward this, but if you do forward this delightful story you'll make someone LAUGH today, and they'll keep spreading the laughter by sending it on!!)

 

 

 

 

 

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Monday, May 18, 2015

DEVOTION: Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.  Proverbs 12:1
 
As most of you know, Cara is having surgery tomorrow.  She will be having her ribcage repaired by the doctor taking out the cartilage and repositioning the bones to where they should be.  Then he will put a titanium rod, maybe two, in place to keep the bones positioned correctly so that the cartilage grows back where it should. 
 
She will have a long road of recovery, but when she is done with it she will feel like a new person!  She will be able to breath better, since now her lungs are only at 80% capacity.  Her ribs and her back won't hurt her anymore.  It'll be wonderful..... if she follows the doctors instructions that is. 
 
She will have to wear a protective brace/covering every time she gets up out of bed for a long time.  I hate to even think about would happen if she didn't?  She could severely injure herself and ruin her recovery.  She isn't supposed to lift anything for a long time.  I hate to think of what would happen if she did.  She isn't supposed to run or do any sort of strenuous activity for a long time.  If she does it would probably mean another surgery.  Doing those things without the doctor's approval is just plain stupid. 
 
When people don't listen to those whoa re trying to tell them what is good for them and what they should do.  It's stupid.  When people are being corrected for something they have done wrong and they fail to heed the correction and go back to doing that stupid thing again. They're stupid!  When people, who know that worship is good for them, or that following Christ's commands to love and forgive are good things, or that they need to repent, and still they don't.  They're stupid!
 
And I, for one, am not afraid to tell you so!  People do it to me all the time, and I am thankful for it!  I love discipline and I know that it is good to listen to correction and follow it!  I pray that you do too!
 
Prayer:  Lord, help those who need to be corrected and disciplined to take it to heart and learn from it!  Amen.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:  
What did Hiram King of Tyre do for Solomon? 2 Samuel 5:11   Hiram king of Tyre was a Phoenician king and the first to give the newly established King David  international recognition.  It was important to Hiram that he have good relations with the new king.  He sent to David cedar logs and carpenter and stonemasons to build a palace for David.

_______________________________________________________________________________
TODAY'S QUIZ: What did Solomon ask for when God told him to ask for anything he wanted?
__________________________________________________________________________________________

CALENDAR:

Mon- Family Night 5:30-7

Tues- Quilting 9-2; No Bible study

Wed- Ladies Aid noon; Praise Band 6; Choir 7

Fri- Last day of school (1/2 day)
Sat- Worship 5
Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
WORSHIP WORKERS:  
Acolyte-  8:30- Dustin Toedebusch; 11- Kailyn Blechle
Ushers-  8:30- George, Gary, and Ben Hoelscher, and Brent Davis
Altar- Set up- Lucille Luebke; Clean Up- Lynn Russell and Elaine Schauer
Communion Assistants- Sat- Dave Winter; 8:30- Rich Talbert; 11- Steve Robine
Greeters- 8:30- Sharon Spoede; 11- Mike and Naomi Johnson
Lay readers- Sat- Kathy Fischer?? 8:30- Jacob Nagel  11- Steve Robine
Organist: Melissa Pedersen
Pianist- Kathy Barrow
Projectionists: Sat- Pam Bueltmann; 8:30- Kailyn Blechle; 11am- Hannah Johnson

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
NEWS:

OUR FIRST BUILDING PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING WILL BE NEXT WEDNESDAY, MAY 27 AT 7PM!

Elmer Wind with LCEF and Wind Architecture will be there to give direction and to help us to move forward and go in the right direction. 

 

Many signed up to attend and participate in this meeting yesterday, but all are welcome to attend to hear what he has to say and to understand the procedure we will be following for the future of the building program. 

 

Please let us know you are coming by replying to this email!  Thanks!

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

ORGANIST NEEDED

Our current organist, Melissa Pedersen, has accepted a call to teach in Fort Dodge, Iowa being in August.  Therefore we will need a new FULL TIME organist by then.  If you know of anyone who is available every Sunday, please give me their name and number!  THANK YOU!

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

NURSERY HELPERS NEEDED FOR ONCE A MONTH DURING WORSHIP

Do you like little children?  Do you like to hold babies?  Do you want to help out our many young families that are joining church?   Here's your chance!

 

CURRENTLY FOR 11AM SERVICE I HAVE

Karla Christophene

Dawn Frye

Jayme Vessell

Nicky Sellman

 

(If I had one more for this service it would be excellent, especially when there are 5 Sundays in a month and when the person scheduled can't make it.)

 

If you'd like to do the 8:30 service or Saturday night, please let me know! 

 

You don't have to be a mom to do this.  You just have to love kids and be able to take care of them for an hour on Sunday morning.

 

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

 PASTOR IS BIKING ACROSS MISSOURI JUNE 21-26!

As much as I need to get in shape, this is more to raise money for www.leadachild.org.   If you'd like to donate to this most worthy cause, go to the website, click on the donate button, find the space that says "Lead a Child Bible club, enter your amount and enter my name.  Then you can pay by check, e-check, or credit/debit card.

 

Thank you for your support!

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

CALLING ALL BAKERS!!!
If you have never been involved in one of our church activities (and even if you have), here is a new challenge for you!!  There will be a cake/dessert booth at the carnival on September 12!  The carnival will be open from 11am until dusk!  Donations of baked good and workers to man the booth will be needed!!  Desserts needing refrigeration cannot be accepted.  Work shifts will be for two hours beginning at 10am and will go till closing time.  To eliminate many, many phone calls, a sign up sheet has been placed on the narthex where you can volunteer!! 

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

LITTLE LAMBS IS ENROLLING NOW FOR THE 2015-16 SCHOOL YEAR!!

Only a few spaces left!  Get those registrations in today!!  Get your registration forms from the preschool or from the church office.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DO YOU HAVE A KROGER CARD?  ENROLL IT IN THE COMMUNITY REWARDS PROGRAM!!!
Register online and have it swiped each time you shop. 
________________________________________________________________________________________________
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.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PRAYER REQUESTS: 

For CARA KLAUSTERMEIER who will be having surgery tomorrow at Mercy in Creve Couer, to repair her sunken ribcage.  She will be in the hospital the rest of the week and will be at home for a month at least.

 

For MARV HENDERSHOT who is home and recovering after a brief hospitalization due to weakness and illness.

 

For BONNIE FRENZIA, who is hospitalized with a mass on her lung.

 

For the family of ROSETTA JONES who passed from death to life last Wednesday.

 

For OUR DCE INTERN, KELSEY OVERBECK, that the Lord's will is done concerning her call to a church to be a full time DCE.

 

For LIL WINTER who has gone home to recover after surgery

 

For MOLLY HENDERSHOT who is at home and recovering well.

 

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

 

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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