Trunk or Treat

Don't forget Kelsey Overbeck and the Church Outreach have a trunk or treat planned for Friday, Oct. 30 from 6-8pm with a chili cook off and hot dog dinner served before starting at 5pm. 

Come join us by opening up your truck and handing out candy. This is a good way to meet many new people.

prayer request

 Please pray for Dick Petersen as he has surgery today to repair his colon. 

Daily Email: Wednesday, October 28, 2015

DEVOTIONS:  1 John 3:1-3

3 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. ² Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. ³ And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

 

I used to think, especially when I was a kid, that Christianity and salvation were only something for us to have for much later, somewhat like an insurance policy.  It didn't have much bearing on my life at the present time.  Jesus died for my sins so I can go to heaven. 

 

As many things have happened in my life, as I have made my share of HUGE mistakes, and as I have gone through tragedy and helped others through tragedy I am convinced more and more that Christianity is as much for here and now as it is for life after death.  It is, after all the junk is stripped away and after we face the facts, what gets us through this life.  Frankly, I don't know how unbelievers do it.  I don't know how they get through life with out faith in a loving Lord Jesus.

 

Brothers and sisters, we are God's children NOW, and because we are we can rest in His grace NOW!  As much as we fail, as much as we are disappointed, and as weak as we are, isn't it a great thing to know that we are God's children and that He will not leave us or forsake us.  As weak as we are we can take true and real comfort in the gifts of God here on earth right NOW!  The baptism we own shows us that we have already been washed of ALL sin.  The blood we drink and the body we eat gives us real and true forgiveness and strength NOW!

 

I want you to know that you are God's child NOW!  As long as you hold on to faith and Jesus and don't reject His love and forgiveness for you, you will remain His children.  If you are struggling with faith or questioning it, or if you have questions about Jesus or about anything at all, please feel free to talk to me day or night.  636-359-1061!!!  I love you, but Jesus loves you even more!

______________________________________________________________________________________

CALENDAR:

Wed- 8th graders go to LHS for talk on sexual purity leave church at 5:30 and return at 9

Thurs- Karate 6:15-7:45 (Pastor in KC for Lead a Child Banquet)

Fri-  Chili cook off and Supper- 5-6pm; Pastor in KC for Lead a Child board of directors meeting; Chili judging is at 5pm; Trunk or Treat 6-8pm

Sat-  Worship 5; REFORMATION DAY (actual)
Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45 ALL SAINTS DAY
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
WORSHIP WORKERS:  
Acolyte-  8:30- John Pezold ; 11- Jacob Winn
Ushers- Allan Dreyer, Lew Feldkamp, Kent Jacobsmeyer, Paul Klover
Altar- Set up- Lucille Luebke; Clean up- Pam Linke
Communion Assistants- Sat- Charlie Figura; 8:30- Steve McDowell; 11- Dave Winter
Greeters- 8:30- Lew and Dianne Feldkamp; 11- Brett and Amanda Nordwald
Lay readers- Sat- Marcia Sevier 8:30- Amber Vossen 11- Gus Klaustermeier
Sat. Pianist- Molly Hendershot
Organist-  Rachel Fisher
Projectionists: Sat. Pam Bueltmann, 8:30- George Pezold, 11- ?????
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
NEWS!!!!  PLEASE READ IT ALL!!!!

 

I NEED A PROJECTIONIST FOR 11AM THIS SUNDAY!  Who is gonna do it?

____________________________________________________________________________________________

 CHILI COOK OFF AND TRUNK OR TREAT IS THIS FRIDAY!!! 

 

We need more entries for the CHILI COOK OFF!!!  Just bring your chili up to church by 5:30!!! 

____________________________________________________________________________________________

BAKE SALE, VENDOR FAIR, AND LUNCH SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7 9am-2pm!!

 

Come on down to church and get a bunch off your Christmas shopping done and enjoy some lunch, a piece of pie, and some good fellowship at the same time!! 

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Who wants to go to this with me?  JANUARY 23  AT SCOTTRADE CENTER!!

 

 

 

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

A NEW SUNDAY MORNING ADULT BIBLE STUDY CALLED "MARRIAGE AND FAMILY:  THE LUTHERAN DIFFERENCE"! 

Do you want to have a clearer definition of marriage according to God's Word?

 

Do you want to be able to explain your views on marriage and family when you get into discussions about it and when you want to teach your kids?

 

Do you want to strengthen your own marriage and family?

 

THEN COME TO BIBLE STUDY ON SUNDAY MORNINGS AT 9:45!!!!!!!

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

QUILT TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE!!  

The drawing was not held at the carnival to give people more time to purchase more tickets.  You may purchase tickets from any quilter or from the church office throughout the week.  Tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5.  

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

LADIES AID IS SELLING CHRISTMAS CARDS FOR $5 a BOX!!  

Once they're gone, that's it.  There won't be another order when they run out!  Get them today!  They're in the basement and you can give money to whoever is in the office. 

___________________________________________________________________________________________

PLEASE ORDER SCRIP !!!!! 

A NEW AND EASY FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITY!!! 

 

The order forms are on the table in the narthex!  Just about every store that you can think of is on the list!  Use the cards just like you would use a debit/credit card and help St. John's make  A LOT of money!

Place your order, along with your check, made payable to St. Johns, in the "Bob the Builder" box. 

  
 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

OPERATION BACKPACK FOR OCTOBER IS CANNED VEGETABLES!! !

Many children in our community are very poor.  They are able to get some of their meals at school during the week, but often go hungry on weekends.  Operation backpack is a way that our community has decided to help these kids. 
 
Every month throughout the school year, each church participating will take one food item and collect just that food item.  At the end of the month the food will be delivered to school.  The school officials along with volunteers will distribute the food to kids backpacks to take home.   

Throughout the month of October we will be collecting canned veggies. All size cans and even individual portions will be accepted.  The fruit will be delivered to the schools November 1.   We will have a box in the narthex for deposits.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 
UNMARKED BLUE ENVELOPE CONTRIBUTIONS ARE GOING TO THE BUILDING EXPANSION PROGRAM
If you'd like it to go to the DCE fund you need to mark it for that!  Please make sure you mark the ENVELOPE clearly for the DCE PROGRAM!
________________________________________________________________________________________
DO YOU HAVE A KROGER CARD?  ENROLL IT IN THE COMMUNITY REWARDS PROGRAM!!!
Register it online www.krogercommunityrewards.com and have it swiped each time you shop to earn money for Little Lambs. 
 
__________________________________________________________________________________________

GENERAL PRAYERS:

For DIANNE HANCE who moved to Kendrick rehab at Mercy Hospital in Creve Couer.

 

For MARIANNE LINKE who is recovering from heart valve replacement surgery and had a setback on Friday but is doing better now. She's doing very well!

 

For CAL TAMELER as he continues to heal after a cornea transplant.

 

For DON PANHORST who is undergoing his second round of chemo treatments today.   

 

For DENISE SCHLESSELMANN as she is in the Czech Republic to continue her mission work.

 

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

 

For WILMA WEIGLE as she continues to deal with the after effects of a severe stroke almost two years ago.  

Winter Jam is on My Birthday, Saturday, January 23, 2016!

Winter Jam is the biggest traveling Contemporary Christian  Music Festival there is!
 
 
It's been a few years since I went to Winter Jam!  Since it's on my birthday I'd really like to go!
 
Who's gonna go with me?  Let's get a big crowd and get down to the Scottrade Center for my birthday!!
 
Cost is only $10 at the door! 
 
Mark your calendars!
 
Reply to this email if you're gonna plan to go!
 

Daily Email: Tuesday, October 27, 2015

DEVOTION: Revelation 7:9-17

⁹ After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, ¹⁰ and crying out with a loud voice, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!" ¹¹ And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, ¹² saying, "Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen."

¹³ Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, "Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?" ¹⁴ I said to him, "Sir, you know." And he said to me, "These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

¹⁵ "Therefore they are before the throne of God,
    and serve him day and night in his temple;
    and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.
¹⁶ They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore;
    the sun shall not strike them,
    nor any scorching heat.
¹⁷ For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd,
    and he will guide them to springs of living water,
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

 

 

Being before the throne of God and serving him day and night in his temple doesn't sound like the ultimate in a fantasy life now does it?  I already work day and night, you say.  I work at my job and then I work to take care of my family.  I don't want to be a servant for eternity.  Yet, what is bliss but to be in God's presence and serving him day and night in his perfect presence in his perfect temple?  What is better than being sheltered by his presence?  What is better than never being hungry, thirsty, too hot, and sad every again?

 

This is perfect service.  This is doing God's will the way it should be done.  This is what Jesus meant when he said, "Take my yoke upon you, for my yoke is easy and my burden is light, and you will find rest for your souls.

 

As Christians, loved by God and forgiven by Him, we try to serve God day and night.  We long to be able to do so.  But, as Paul says, "The good I want to do I don't do, but the evil I don't want to do I keep on doing.  Who will rescue me from this body of death?  Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!"

 

So we long for the day when these too slow, crooked, overweight, too skinny, hurting, tempted, and torn bodies are turned to dust and a new, perfect in every way, body comes forth and arises daily.  Until then we rejoice in the fullness of his forgiveness and peace for us.  We take His Word and His Sacraments into us to tide us over until that day.  And we live our lives in His grace so that we aren't tossed to and fro by every wave of doubt.  We stand firm in Jesus our Savior. 

 

Let us pray: Lord, as I wait for you to come, fill me with your Spirit so that I may not despair but find perfect peace.  Amen.

 

______________________________________________________________________________________

CALENDAR:

Tues- Quilting 9-2; Bible study 11:30-12:15 (We will begin our look at "Christianity: the First Three Centuries")

Wed- 8th graders go to LHS for talk on sexual purity leave church at 5:30 and return at 9

Thurs- Karate 6:15-7:45 (Pastor in KC for Lead a Child Banquet)

Fri-  Chili cook off and Supper- 5-6pm; Pastor in KC for Lead a Child board of directors meeting; Chili judging is at 5pm; Trunk or Treat 6-8pm

Sat-  Worship 5; REFORMATION DAY (actual)
Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45 ALL SAINTS DAY
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
WORSHIP WORKERS:  
Acolyte-  8:30- John Pezold ; 11- Jacob Winn
Ushers- Allan Dreyer, Lew Feldkamp, Kent Jacobsmeyer, Paul Klover
Altar- Set up- Lucille Luebke; Clean up- Pam Linke
Communion Assistants- Sat- Charlie Figura; 8:30- Steve McDowell; 11- Dave Winter
Greeters- 8:30- Lew and Dianne Feldkamp; 11- Brett and Amanda Nordwald
Lay readers- Sat- Marcia Sevier 8:30- Amber Vossen 11- Gus Klaustermeier
Sat. Pianist- Molly Hendershot
Organist-  Rachel Fisher
Projectionists: Sat. Pam Bueltmann, 8:30- George Pezold, 11- ?????
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
NEWS!!!!  PLEASE READ IT ALL!!!!

 

____________________________________________________________________________________________

BAKE SALE, VENDOR FAIR, AND LUNCH SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7 9am-2pm!!

 

Come on down to church and get a bunch off your Christmas shopping done and enjoy some lunch, a piece of pie, and some good fellowship at the same time!! 

______________________________________________________________________________________________

A NEW SUNDAY MORNING ADULT BIBLE STUDY CALLED "MARRIAGE AND FAMILY:  THE LUTHERAN DIFFERENCE"! 

Do you want to have a clearer definition of marriage according to God's Word?

 

Do you want to be able to explain your views on marriage and family when you get into discussions about it and when you want to teach your kids?

 

Do you want to strengthen your own marriage and family?

 

THEN COME TO BIBLE STUDY ON SUNDAY MORNINGS AT 9:45!!!!!!!

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

QUILT TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE!!  

The drawing was not held at the carnival to give people more time to purchase more tickets.  You may purchase tickets from any quilter or from the church office throughout the week.  Tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5.  

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

LADIES AID IS SELLING CHRISTMAS CARDS FOR $5 a BOX!!  

Once they're gone, that's it.  There won't be another order when they run out!  Get them today!  They're in the basement and you can give money to whoever is in the office. 

___________________________________________________________________________________________

PLEASE ORDER SCRIP !!!!! 

A NEW AND EASY FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITY!!! 

 

The order forms are on the table in the narthex!  Just about every store that you can think of is on the list!  Use the cards just like you would use a debit/credit card and help St. John's make  A LOT of money!

Place your order, along with your check, made payable to St. Johns, in the "Bob the Builder" box. 

  
 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

OPERATION BACKPACK FOR OCTOBER IS CANNED VEGETABLES!! !

Many children in our community are very poor.  They are able to get some of their meals at school during the week, but often go hungry on weekends.  Operation backpack is a way that our community has decided to help these kids. 
 
Every month throughout the school year, each church participating will take one food item and collect just that food item.  At the end of the month the food will be delivered to school.  The school officials along with volunteers will distribute the food to kids backpacks to take home.   

Throughout the month of October we will be collecting canned veggies. All size cans and even individual portions will be accepted.  The fruit will be delivered to the schools November 1.   We will have a box in the narthex for deposits.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 
UNMARKED BLUE ENVELOPE CONTRIBUTIONS ARE GOING TO THE BUILDING EXPANSION PROGRAM
If you'd like it to go to the DCE fund you need to mark it for that!  Please make sure you mark the ENVELOPE clearly for the DCE PROGRAM!
________________________________________________________________________________________
DO YOU HAVE A KROGER CARD?  ENROLL IT IN THE COMMUNITY REWARDS PROGRAM!!!
Register it online www.krogercommunityrewards.com and have it swiped each time you shop to earn money for Little Lambs. 
 
__________________________________________________________________________________________

GENERAL PRAYERS:

For DIANNE HANCE who moved to Kenrick rehab at Mercy Hospital in Creve Couer.

 

For MARIANNE LINKE who is recovering from heart valve replacement surgery and had a setback on Friday but is doing better now. She's doing very well!

 

For CAL TAMELER as he continues to heal after a cornea transplant.

 

For DON PANHORST who is undergoing his second round of chemo treatments today.   

 

For DENISE SCHLESSELMANN as she is in the Czech Republic to continue her mission work.

 

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

 

For WILMA WEIGLE as she continues to deal with the after effects of a severe stroke almost two years ago.  

Daily Email: Monday, October 26, 2015

 

 

DEVOTION:  Psalm 149

149 Praise the Lord!
Sing to the Lord a new song,
    his praise in the assembly of the godly!
² Let Israel be glad in his Maker;
    let the children of Zion rejoice in their King!
³ Let them praise his name with dancing,
    making melody to him with tambourine and lyre!
⁴ For the Lord takes pleasure in his people;
    he adorns the humble with salvation.
⁵ Let the godly exult in glory;
    let them sing for joy on their beds.
⁶ Let the high praises of God be in their throats
    and two-edged swords in their hands,
⁷ to execute vengeance on the nations
    and punishments on the peoples,
⁸ to bind their kings with chains
    and their nobles with fetters of iron,
⁹ to execute on them the judgment written!
    This is honor for all his godly ones.
Praise the Lord!

 

A new song..... Everyone likes a new song, don't they?  After hearing a song over and over again, even if it is a good song, you get tired of it. 

 

The same holds true for our lives in Christ.  How, you ask?  Well, let's look at it from a different perspective.  If you are like me, you tend to get down on yourself and on the world.  You may be speaking the truth.  You may be right in your judgment that the world is going to hell in a handbag.  You may speak the truth that the world is messed up and lost.  You may shake your head over and over again at all of the tragedy and suffering going on in the world.  You may be in total despair and sadness over the weight of the world on your shoulders.

 

But where is that going to get you?  Is that going to give you comfort and peace?  Is that going to make others who are lost want to have what you have and come to a knowledge of the truth of Jesus?  Most likely not. 

 

That is why the Psalmist exhorts us to sing a NEW song today!  Stop singing the old tune of the law and sing a new song of the good news of the Gospel!  Jesus has risen from the dead!  Death has been swallowed up in victory.  The old has gone, the new has come! 

 

The reason St. John's is still growing is that I, and many others with the same mindset as me, make the GOOD NEWS of Jesus and His forgiveness and salvation the MAIN message here.  We preach and teach Christ crucified!  People are drawn to that!  They are drawn to the love that the Holy Spirit exudes through us!  They love to hear the story of Jesus and His love! 

 

Imagine how much more it would grow if EVERYONE did the same thing.  Imagine if all of you reading this today would simply tell someone, anyone, that Jesus loves them and has forgiven them of their sins.  Would that make a difference to them, to you, to the church? 

 

I urge you to SING A NEW SONG today! get off your high horse of judgmentalism.  Get away from your sadness and meanness.  Sing a new song!  Make music in your heart toward God!  REJOICE!!!

 

Prayer: Lord, help me to sing a NEW song to you today so that You alone may be praised.  Amen.

 

______________________________________________________________________________________

CALENDAR:

Mon- Confirmation 5-6:15; Family Night 6:15-7:30

Tues- Quilting 9-2; Bible study 11:30-12:15 (We will begin our look at "Christianity: the First Three Centuries")

Wed- 8th graders go to LHS for talk on sexual purity leave church at 5:30 and return at 9

Thurs- Karate 6:15-7:45 (Pastor in KC for Lead a Child Banquet)

Fri-  Chili cook off and Supper- 5-6pm; Pastor in KC for Lead a Child board of directors meeting; Chili judging is at 5pm; Trunk or Treat 6-8pm

Sat-  Worship 5; REFORMATION DAY (actual)
Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45 ALL SAINTS DAY
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
WORSHIP WORKERS:  
Acolyte-  8:30- John Pezold ; 11- Jacob Winn
Ushers- Allan Dreyer, Lew Feldkamp, Kent Jacobsmeyer, Paul Klover
Altar- Set up- Lucille Luebke; Clean up- Pam Linke
Communion Assistants- Sat- Charlie Figura; 8:30- Steve McDowell; 11- Dave Winter
Greeters- 8:30- Lew and Dianne Feldkamp; 11- Brett and Amanda Nordwald
Lay readers- Sat- Marcia Sevier 8:30- Amber Vossen 11- Gus Klaustermeier
Sat. Pianist- Molly Hendershot
Organist-  Rachel Fisher
Projectionists: Sat. Pam Bueltmann, 8:30- George Pezold, 11- ?????
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
NEWS!!!!  PLEASE READ IT ALL!!!!

A HUGE THANK YOU TO THE HEITGERDS FOR HOSTING OUR HAYRIDE AND BONFIRE!! 

They did A LOT of work for it in setting up and cleaning up!  THANK YOU SCOTT AND LANI!!  You're the best!

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________

A NEW SUNDAY MORNING ADULT BIBLE STUDY CALLED "MARRIAGE AND FAMILY:  THE LUTHERAN DIFFERENCE"! 

Do you want to have a clearer definition of marriage according to God's Word?

 

Do you want to be able to explain your views on marriage and family when you get into discussions about it and when you want to teach your kids?

 

Do you want to strengthen your own marriage and family?

 

THEN COME TO BIBLE STUDY ON SUNDAY MORNINGS AT 9:45!!!!!!!

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

QUILT TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE!!  

The drawing was not held at the carnival to give people more time to purchase more tickets.  You may purchase tickets from any quilter or from the church office throughout the week.  Tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5.  

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

LADIES AID IS SELLING CHRISTMAS CARDS FOR $5 a BOX!!  

Once they're gone, that's it.  There won't be another order when they run out!  Get them today!  They're in the basement and you can give money to whoever is in the office. 

___________________________________________________________________________________________

PLEASE ORDER SCRIP !!!!! 

A NEW AND EASY FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITY!!! 

 

The order forms are on the table in the narthex!  Just about every store that you can think of is on the list!  Use the cards just like you would use a debit/credit card and help St. John's make  A LOT of money!

Place your order, along with your check, made payable to St. Johns, in the "Bob the Builder" box. 

  
 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

OPERATION BACKPACK FOR OCTOBER IS CANNED VEGETABLES!! !

Many children in our community are very poor.  They are able to get some of their meals at school during the week, but often go hungry on weekends.  Operation backpack is a way that our community has decided to help these kids. 
 
Every month throughout the school year, each church participating will take one food item and collect just that food item.  At the end of the month the food will be delivered to school.  The school officials along with volunteers will distribute the food to kids backpacks to take home.   

Throughout the month of October we will be collecting canned veggies. All size cans and even individual portions will be accepted.  The fruit will be delivered to the schools November 1.   We will have a box in the narthex for deposits.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 
UNMARKED BLUE ENVELOPE CONTRIBUTIONS ARE GOING TO THE BUILDING EXPANSION PROGRAM
If you'd like it to go to the DCE fund you need to mark it for that!  Please make sure you mark the ENVELOPE clearly for the DCE PROGRAM!
________________________________________________________________________________________
DO YOU HAVE A KROGER CARD?  ENROLL IT IN THE COMMUNITY REWARDS PROGRAM!!!
Register it online www.krogercommunityrewards.com and have it swiped each time you shop to earn money for Little Lambs. 
 
__________________________________________________________________________________________

GENERAL PRAYERS:

For DIANNE HANCE as she continues to deal with great discomfort and trouble breathing and just moving around.

 

For MARIANNE LINKE who is recovering from heart valve replacement surgery and had a setback on Friday but is doing better now. She's doing very well!

 

For CAL TAMELER as he continues to heal after a cornea transplant.

 

For DON PANHORST who is undergoing his second round of chemo treatments today.   

 

For DENISE SCHLESSELMANN as she is in the Czech Republic to continue her mission work.

 

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

 

For WILMA WEIGLE as she continues to deal with the after effects of a severe stroke almost two years ago.  

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Fwd: The Lutheran Hour: October 25, 2015 "Reformation Freedom, Reformation Faith"

Sent via the Samsung GALAXY S®4 Active™, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone

-------- Original message --------
From: Lutheran Hour Ministries <lh_min@lhm.org>
Date: 10/24/2015 9:16 PM (GMT-06:00)
To: Jeremy Klaustermeier <revklaus@hotmail.com>
Subject: The Lutheran Hour: October 25, 2015 "Reformation Freedom, Reformation Faith"

Sermon Text for October 25, 2015 "Reformation Freedom, Reformation Faith" #83-08 Presented on The Lutheran Hour on October 25, 2015 By Rev. Gregory Seltz, Lutheran Hour Speaker (Raising Kids Today, Help?) Copyright 2015 Lutheran Hour Ministries     Text: Romans 1:16-17 Our text for today is Romans, chapter 1. "I am not ashamed of the gospel because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes. For in the Gospel, a righteousness from God is revealed; a righteousness that is by faith from first to last. Just as it is written, 'the just shall live by faith.'" To Him Who was, Who is, and Who is coming again and calls us to a life of faith. Amen. If you saw this job opportunity in the paper, would you take it? "Needed: courageous, fearless individual to proclaim a message from God Himself. Qualifications: a humble obedience to the message which is given, a love for God and for His people, and a willingness to speak the message, 'the just will live by faith' to anyone who will listen. The pay: generous care for those who will believe in the message and the constant opposition and hatred of those who will not believe. P.S. They could be members of your own congregation-both of them. Warning: God's work could get dangerous-even the original Messenger was crucified for the Message. But the fringe benefits and the eternal life insurance plans are excellent." Would you take the job?  You see, every generation, every church, every one of us is called to that kind of faith; that kind of discipleship, and that's what it means to be a follower of Christ. And as we've been celebrating on this trip, there was this man named Martin Luther, about 500 years ago, who said, "I'd stake my life on that." And even in this place where we're celebrating today, St. Matthew; we know of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who said, "I'd stake my life on that," and he did.  We're talking about people who risked life and limb so that people like you and me could come to know the joy of the Good News of Jesus as our own message, as our Lord and Savior. They were willing to share that forgiveness with anyone who would listen; to take up the responsibility of not just living a graced life but a graced life for others. You know the Reformation was a call for the church, Christ's church, to become Christ's church for others again. What a challenge. And that's why Jesus says it very simply, "If you abide in My Word, you are My disciples. You will know the truth and the truth will set you free." And that's exactly what happened when Luther rediscovered the Good News of the Gospel; the freedom that comes by faith in Christ.  You see the Reformation; the Reformation brought a freedom of faith. It brought a freedom of faith back into the people's lives, the church's lives, even the community's lives. And that was a freedom that literally came because of your reconnection and reconciliation to God.  You see, a lie had rooted itself in the community of that day. What was the lie? Do you remember? Indulgences. What were indulgences? Indulgences were when people were told "you can actually buy your forgiveness of sins. Yeah, I know you are doing some sinful things. I know you've got some guilt, but you pay a little of this and you pay a little of that, and all that stuff will be wiped away." The lie was that sinful people could pay off God. Or the lie was that sin had no consequences at all.  And then up steps this pious monk. He was a simple guy. Remember we talked about that when we were in the monastery. He was a simple person who was actually running away from things. He just wanted to be a nobody who got right with God. And God took that nobody who discovered the Gospel, and then he said to those who thought they were buying God off with their indulgences, "You're missing the whole point."  He watched his people. He wasn't just a pious monk, he was a pastor. He was one who really cared about his people and he watched them actually buying these indulgences thinking that they could then go and sin as much as they wanted because they had a get-out-of-jail-free card. And he knew they were actually building jails of spirituality. They were actually leaping towards eternal death. What they thought was freedom was the opposite; and out of love he called out and pointed out the lie.  And you saw today the place where he nailed the theses. It wasn't a protest. It was a call to God's people to come home to the grace and the good news of Jesus.  They were taught that sin was inconsequential; that you could overcome it, that you could dismiss it. What a lie. But haven't we been taught a similar lie in our day? Now we don't have people running around buying indulgences. I know that doesn't happen anymore. But we have people now today who think there is nothing to pay anyway. It's guiltless sins. No sins at all. No price to pay ever. In fact, I just heard someone the other day say, "As long as I'm happy with what I'm doing, that's all that matters." And they even get mad if God tells them otherwise. Wow! How did we get there? Then as now, Christ's Word and Christ's offer of grace went unheeded. Right? It was being missed and Luther knew that sin was not merely just mistakes; sin was an enemy of freedom. It was the cyanide of selfishness. It was the arsenic of anger. And it was designed to kill you inside out eternally. He warned them. He said, "Be careful what you lay your hands on. Be careful what you bring into your heart because it has consequences."  It was Niagara Falls. It was a cold, wintry morning and this guy was walking down the river and he was enjoying his morning walk. And as he came by the river, he saw something floating towards the falls. It was a carcass of an animal that had fallen in somewhere down the way and now it was heading towards its ultimate demise. And as he was watching this thing, it was like "wow" and he was overwhelmed by the moment. Then he looked up and what did he see above him? He saw this eagle; majestic, high, and lifted up. And he was watching that thing and he thought, "Uh-oh. That eagle sees that."  And so in this incredible power moment, he watched that eagle swoop down and stuck its talons, these huge talons, into this carcass, and it was starting to try to lift off. But, then, suddenly he realized the eagle wasn't making any headway there. And he was watching this thing transpire as it headed right for the edge of Niagara Falls. And you know what happens when you head for the edge of Niagara Falls on a cold wintry morning. It not only was misting up, but that mist was freezing up. But that eagle wouldn't let go. And it was trying even harder and harder and harder; and then he watched as the thing came right to the edge as the water started freezing on its wings and both of them headed to their icy grave. Wow! Be careful what you lay your hands on. Be careful what you sink your talons into. He who sins is a slave to sin and the wages of sin is death. Something greater was needed. Sin must be destroyed. Forgiveness must be real. God must do it and He did it for you and for me in Jesus Christ. If you're listening today, this is the God Who loves you. This is the God Who cares for you. This is the God Who's got a joyful, abundant life in store for you. And that's what Luther rediscovered. That's what he discovered. Not some religious thing, but a Savior Who came for him.  Righteousness was demanded and Christ paid the price. Sin was a reality to be overcome and Christ overcame it for you and me. The greatest human need is to be reconciled to God so that you can live the life He has for you now and forever and Christ offers that as a gift for all who believe.  So the Reformation message was very simple, wasn't it? The just shall live by faith. Now that's simple but it's really profound when you think about it. I'm not talking about faith in self. If you're listening today, there's a specific meaning of faith. It's not faith in self, but faith in God in Jesus Christ for Who He is.  I know that's foolishness in our nihilistic, self-centered world. And all of us are a bit nihilistic and self-centered in our hearts. So God's calling all of us to the gracious life of faith. It's the power of God at work in our lives. So that's what Paul is talking about. This is the power of God. Why, because it comes by faith and when it comes by faith, that means justice is dealt with. This is powerful stuff because Christ dealt with the things that we need to deal with in our lives and in our world. Real justice is needed so that there can be real mercy in your life. Did you ever notice that? You need both. But when it comes to us trying to be just or merciful, we always get it messed up. Maybe this happens in your life sometimes. When people really are overwhelmed by their burdens and their guilt, you know what people tend to do instead of saying God's blessing you and God mercifully forgives you? We tend to pile on. "Well, you should have known better." So when someone finally admits that they need, we pile on and say, "Yeah, you were really wrong." And then I see it the other way too when people really are doing the wrong things, no one says a word to them. We just let them go on their merry way.  We always seem to say the wrong thing, or to say it at the wrong time, or to pile on, or not say what should be said. That's because we're sinful people. But on Good Friday, God didn't just say more. On Good Friday He said it all because on Good Friday perfect justice was accomplished. Jesus Christ was punished for our sins so that perfect mercy could be unleashed on the world. The mercy and righteousness and joy that He deserved was given to you and me.  It's the power of God. "The just will live by faith." That's the power of God. Why, because only faith in Jesus saves. I'm going to say that again. I know our world doesn't want to hear this, but this is an invitation to anybody listening. Only faith in Jesus Christ saves.  We teach this. The object of faith is the power of faith, not how much you believe something. It's whether that object is worthy of faith. And that's why the Bible is clear. We believe in Jesus Christ alone and that's what Luther taught. Grace alone, faith alone, in Christ alone.  Some today have faith in their companies. They've got faith in their jobs, faith in their societies, faith in their politics, faith in their money, faith in their wealth, their relationships. They even have faith in themselves. All those things eventually come to nothing. Haven't we seen that on this trip? Yes. So the Reformation brought the real question back. What's sustaining you today? And the Bible says it's Jesus Christ that will hold. It's Jesus Christ; there's power in that faith because Jesus Christ is the source of it all.  We've seen a lot of World War II stuff, haven't we in this trip? We were in Dachau and I was amazed again by those stories, especially when that doctor made promises to really strong and hardy men. Remember that crazy doctor who actually had experiments on people. Do you remember that? But he got strong, strapping, healthy people to participate in these crazy experiments because he promised them freedom. What did he ultimately give them? Death. It reminded me of a story again as I was thinking about all this World War II kind of context. It was the siege. When you think about war, there's always times of war that are just incredible. Remember the Siege of Leningrad where the people were actually growing hungry and as I remember that story being told about it; they were down to their last morsels of bread. They almost had nothing else to eat and then someone made this discovery. They said, "We've got wallpaper paste and we've got sawdust; and if you kind of heat it up and cook it, it looks like...bread."  And so they made all these loaves. And what did they start doing? They started eating and it filled their stomachs. And for a moment the hunger pains went away, but what happened? They were still starving to death because it wasn't bread. It had no nutrients. And eventually thousands died eating those pieces of bread or those morsels that looked like bread. But there was nothing there.  As we as believers are on this pilgrimage, we're reminded that Jesus Christ is the Bread of Life. And that Martin Luther actually brought the good news of the Gospel back to the western world. This is the food that sustains. This is the message that heals. We're privileged to know Jesus Christ by grace through faith; and the just shall live by faith.  So don't just celebrate Reformation. Don't just celebrate it today. I mean it's okay to celebrate it; I'm not saying that you can't just tip one for Martin Luther, but don't celebrate it-live it.  Almost 500 years ago, a monk, a simple, pious monk tacked something on a church door because he cared about his people and he knew the power of this Jesus Christ and all that that means in knowing Him. So, every Reformation I want you to realize that there are three Reformers and to celebrate this. The first Reformer is our heavenly Father Who made real freedom possible when He sent His Son to die on the cross for our sins; Who makes daily this freedom possible for all who believe. Every one of you listening today, this offer is for you because of Who God is for you in Jesus Christ.  And on Reformation Day we celebrate another Reformer, Martin Luther, who risked life and limb to proclaim the message that all who are redeemed by God; it is by grace alone, through faith, you can count on it.  And the third person? Is you. The third person is you. You were reformed on your Baptism day. God literally buried your sins on the cross with Jesus Christ and He now raises you up in the waters of new life of your Baptism. You've had your Reformation Day; now live that Reformation life so that all might know that Jesus Christ is your Savior too. That's the freedom that comes in Jesus Christ alone, by faith alone, through the Scripture alone, in Christ alone. As it is written, "The just shall live by faith" and in this land of Luther, and in this church of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's ordination, I'd stake my life on it and now you can too. In the Name of Jesus everyone say, "Amen."  LUTHERAN HOUR MAILBOX (Questions & Answers) for October 25, 2015 Topic: Raising Kids Today, Help? ANNOUNCER: Now, Pastor Gregory Seltz responds to questions from listeners. I'm Mark Eischer. Pastor, a listener says, "With all the temptations today, the moral confusion in society, how can we as Christians raise our children to get through all of this?"  SELTZ: Wow, it sounds like he's saying, "Help!" Mark, I sure can hear the pain of this parent who listens. With TV, movies, songs constantly challenging our children to have sex for fun, party till you drop, encouraging them not to listen to their parents, or just listen to your feelings, your friends. ANNOUNCER: It is tough to guide children through that. SELTZ: It is, but that's our role as parents. As the Bible says in Proverbs 22:6: "Train up a child in the way he will go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." The key here is first to realize that you have a sacred duty to instill the things of God in those you cherish, especially your children.  ANNOUNCER: And realizing that there will be challenges, right? SELTZ: There are. But there are tremendous spiritual resources available to us as parents to do that job as well. By the way, no one is perfect in this and each child is unique. ANNOUNCER: Which means that what works for one child may not work for another? SELTZ: That's true. But there are some truths that are the same for all, even if the applying of those truths still might be different from one child to the next. ANNOUNCER: Okay. What would you say are some of these common things we all need to remember?  SELTZ: First, training up the child has to do with making sure they see things from God's perspective in their lives. They need to know how precious they are to God, how unique they are because of Him as well as the way He thinks they should go. That's His way, not necessarily the way you and I as parents think they should go. Each one is a unique person on God's terms, so applying the truths of the Bible to them is going to require some customization, if you know what I mean. ANNOUNCER: But, sometimes, even when you understand the unique differences between one child and the next, there will still be problems.  SELTZ: That's the time when you have to parent. That's the time when you have to guide even though they may not understand or agree. To do that, they do need to see that your faith is a real thing for you too. They need to see that you take church seriously, you take grace and forgiveness seriously, and you cherish the things that you are trying to instill in them, namely the truth of God's Word, faith in Jesus, His forgiveness, as well as the joy of following His teaching in obedience. That lived out faith, I think that's what builds a respect for your position as parent, one that your child needs to see as well as hear. ANNOUNCER: And as it's been said, "You can't give away what you don't have." SELTZ: Absolutely. Yet none of this "let's drop junior off so he or she can get some moral teaching" at church while we go do something else on Sunday morning. They will eventually see right through that and do as they please following your example, actually, in a negative way. ANNOUNCER: But, we also have to do more for our kids than just provide a good example.  SELTZ: We do, and that's why it's important to talk to your kids about the things of God, the teachings of the Bible, and try to explain why trusting in Christ is a very good thing for them. Yes, there is forgiveness for our children if they mess up, but there's still so much more pain that comes with poor choices when they're growing up. We need to be there to explain why it's better for them to act this way, or speak this way, or guard our emotions or feelings this way rather than another. If they think that Jesus really loves them and wants what's best for them, even wants them to be the best that they can be with their unique gifts and life; that's pretty hard to turn away from forever. ANNOUNCER: It sounds like this is an everyday thing, not just a once and a while chat. SELTZ: And I think that's where it can be tough. But, if we love our kids, we need to make sure that we make time to be together with them regularly, make sure that we know what's going on in their lives, then set guidelines with them, hold them accountable to those guidelines, and practice what we preach with our spouses, with our friends, as well as with them. They are just too important to us not to. And finally of course, lay all these concerns constantly before God in prayer. ANNOUNCER: Because, after all, He cares for our children even more than we do. SELTZ: Exactly. That's the goal of all of this; to be a family here, yes; but to be a family forever with Christ our Lord and Savior. Trust that God can do that with you and your kids. ANNOUNCER: Thank you, Pastor Seltz. This has been a presentation of Lutheran Hour Ministries. Action in Ministry for October 25, 2015  Guest:  Troy Teuscher ANNOUNCER: You're listening to The Lutheran Hour and this is the segment of the program we call Action in Ministry. Pastor, when we examine ourselves as you suggest we do in today's sermon; we'll always find ourselves falling short of what God expects and demands. SELTZ: Yeah, as we think also, Mark, about this, this week, the 16th century Reformation, thinking back. It's fitting to remember the life of Martin Luther and how his awareness of his own falling short eventually lead to his rediscovery of God's grace and forgiveness through faith in Jesus Christ.  ANNOUNCER: And we have a great resource that provides an overview of that story. It's a booklet titled, A Treasure Revealed-Martin Luther and the Events of the Reformation, and in just a moment I will tell you more about that. But first I want to introduce our colleague, Troy Teuscher. He's a videographer who worked with Pastor Seltz on a trip to Germany. Troy, welcome to this side of the camera.  TEUSCHER: Thank you. It's good to be here. SELTZ: Troy, listen; it was great having you as part of the crew in Germany. I had a blast with you and you did such a great job with us. But I have to say you're also a church historian and you are a student of theology, and I'm excited to have you here with us today to share some of our experiences in Germany and this fascinating story of Martin Luther. TEUSCHER: Yeah, it was amazing just to be there and walk where Luther walked and to see all those sights.  ANNOUNCER: Troy, as a student of history, what is your impression of the motivation, the key events that sparked the Reformation? TEUSCHER: You could say that the Reformation hinged on one key word and that word is metanoia; a Greek word which means repentance. But the church at that time translated that word as "do penance".  SELTZ: Right, and in a lot of ways there is a different view of God in that mistranslation; in be repentant and receive God's grace as a gift and all those things that Luther rediscovered. But Martin Luther also found himself at odds with the most powerful institution of his day and as a good scholar and academic, and a pastor, he did the scholarly thing to do; he wanted to debate on these things; on the subject of penances and indulgences, right? TEUSCHER: Right; and nailing the ninety-five theses to the church door is not a provocative act. That is a standard thing that you would do if you wanted to call for a debate in a university town. And he wrote the ninety-five theses in Latin and somebody took those, translated them into German, and then using the new printing press; the ninety-five theses found their way all over Europe.  ANNOUNCER: What other factors do you think contributed to the spread of Luther's ideas? TEUSCHER: Well, there also was a lot of stuff going on at the time. You have Pope Leo X who was a very secular Pope. He was more concerned about being a patron of the arts. And then you have Martin Luther who is in what is now Germany, at a time when they were the most pious they have ever been and he joined the strictest order that he could find and he was probably the most pious monk of the strictest order in Germany at that time.  SELTZ: So a lot of things had to fall in place for this to really go viral, right? TEUSCHER: Yeah. Yeah, and the printing press was one of those and so, yeah, you could say that the Reformation went viral before there was a viral. It really was. And the way they used mass communication was just amazing and hadn't been done at that time. They would use pictures. They would make pamphlets, and they would have a picture of the Pope, of people kissing the Pope's ring, and then they would show a picture next to that of Jesus washing His disciples' feet. Well, even if you couldn't read, which was most of the people, they got it.  SELTZ: Do penance versus be repentant and receive the gift of this Savior. You can see it in pictures, right? TEUSCHER: Yes. SELTZ: When we were at Wartburg where Luther was hidden away spent a year studying, translating the Bible in German so that the German people could read it like you were talking about, and that act changed all of Christendom. We couldn't help but be humbled by the faith of this man, his act of boldness ensuring the Word of God. How did that make you feel when we were literally walking where he walked? TEUSCHER: We take the Reformation for granted today because we are so far removed from it, but it probably had the biggest impact on western society more than anything else.  ANNOUNCER: Listeners, if you would like to see Germany through Troy's viewfinder, as it were, we invite you to go to our website. We've got some extra footage there from that trip. Go to lutheranhour.org, look for the Action in Ministry tab and that will take you to that spot. I should also mention at this time, Pastor Seltz, that you're going to be leading a tour over to these Luther sites in April of 2016, so call for more information on that. SELTZ: Be a part of that with us because there is so much more to the story than we can share today; and Troy, I just love seeing it through your eyes and with you today. Thanks for being here. TEUSCHER: Thanks for having me. ANNOUNCER: The name of the booklet is A Treasure Revealed-Martin Luther and the Events of the Reformation. For your free copy, call the Lutheran Hour toll free: 1-800-555-6236. That's 1-800-555-6236. Or go online: lutheranhour.org and look for the tab that says Action in Ministry. Our email address is: info@lhm.org.  Music Selections for this program: "A Mighty Fortress" arranged by Chris Bergmann. Used by permission. "Preserve Your Word, O Savior" From The Concordia Organist (© 2009 Concordia Publishing House) "Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word" 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