Daily Email: Wednesday, January 20, 2016

DEVOTION:  1 Corinthians 12:12-31a

One Body with Many Members

¹² For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. ¹³ For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves^[a] or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.
¹⁴ For the body does not consist of one member but of many. ¹⁵ If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. ¹⁶ And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. ¹⁷ If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? ¹⁸ But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. ¹⁹ If all were a single member, where would the body be? ²⁰ As it is, there are many parts,^[b] yet one body.
²¹ The eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you," nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." ²² On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, ²³ and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, ²⁴ which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, ²⁵ that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. ²⁶ If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.
²⁷ Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. ²⁸ And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. ²⁹ Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? ³⁰ Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? ³¹ But earnestly desire the higher gifts.
 
 
We all have our parts to play in the church.  No one person is more important than another.  It is one big family! 
 
Do you think of the church as your family?  Or is it just like a membership in any other club in which you pay your dues to get something out of it? 
 
In a family, every person has his or her thing to do, responsibility to the greater good.  In a family everyone in it has something invested in it.  If you are a member of a family, the family is yours.  A club is owned and run by someone else.  You just come and pay your dues and get the benefits. 
 
Have you ever had something as small as a hangnail.  That little soreness effects your whole body.  When you bump it on something the whole body cringes.  Or if you have a sore bac, are you able to concentrate on anything else? 
 
So it is with the church.  We rejoice together and we suffer together.  We are a FAMILY!  We are the BODY OF CHRIST!
 
Prayer:  Lord, make me live as part of the body of Christ and take my membership in that body, that family, seriously.  Amen.

__________________________________________________________________
CALENDAR:
Wed- Ladies Aid meeting canceled due to snow; Choir 7pm
Thurs- Newsletter deadline
Sat-  Basement reserved; worship 5pm (Pastor Grund will be here.)
Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45; High School youth Bible Study 5pm
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
WORSHIP WORKERS:  
Acolyte-  8:30- Jack Bunge; 11- Jacob Cluver

Ushers-  Marv Hendershot, Don Luebke, Dave Callies, Don Nolte

Altar- Set up- Marilyn Foster, and Sue Ruhl; Clean up- Lois Boeger

Elders- Sat- John Hachtel; 8:30- Jason Cluver; 11- Jim Rahn

Greeters- 8:30- Rob and Julie Schaumberg; 11- Dan and Lisa Rausch

Lay readers- Sat- John Hachtel; 8:30-Jacob Nagel; 11 - Jim Rahn

Sat. Pianist- Molly Hendershot

Organist-  Rachel Fisher

Projectionists:  Sat- (None, Pastor Grund here) 8:30-  Alaina Heitgerd; 11- Zack Hoelscher
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
YESTERDAY'S  BIBLE QUIZ:    What did Shechem do to Dinah, and what did Dinah's brothers do in revenge?

 

(No answer yesterday so I'm leaving it up till I get one!)

___________________________________________________________________________

NEWS!!!! 

2016 ALTAR FLOWER CHART IS PRETTY EMPTY!!

It is hanging on the bulletin board in the narthex.  Sign up if you wish to place flowers on the altar!  If it is for a special occasion (in memory of loved one, birthday, anniversary, etc.) please indicate that as well.  Cost is $25 payable to St. John's. 

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

FELLOWSHIP REFRESHMENT SIGN UP SHEET IN ON THE WALL BY THE COFFEE POT.  IF YOU HAVE BEEN THE RECIPIENT OF DONUTS IN THE PAST, MAYBE IT'S TIME YOU GIVE BACK!!!

Sign up today and make some Sunday school kid's day!

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS ARE IN YOUR MAILBOXES!!! 

Are you getting ready to do your taxes?  Don't forget about your offering statements in your church mailboxes!  You could even give the money you get back from this itemization to church! 

_________________________________________________________________________________

HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH BIBLE STUDY MEETING AND PIZZA SUNDAY JANUARY 24 @ 5PM!!

We will be talking about what it means to live in God's grace without getting lazy.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

PLEASE COME AND GET YOUR DISHES FROM THE KITCHEN!!

One more week and then those dishes that are left will be taken to Good Shepherd Thrift Store to be sold.

_________________________________________________________________________

YOUTH STEAK DINNER AND AUCTION TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW!!

Tickets are $25 a piece.  All proceeds go to help our youth afford their trip down to New Orleans for the National Youth Gathering as well as do many other service projects and youth events.

 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

OPERATION BACKPACK FOR JANUARY IS CANNED FRUIT!!

You can also do individual size cups.

 

(Remember this is for the poor and needy children of our community and county that often receive two breakfast and lunch at school, and have very little or no food at home.)

___________________________________________________________________________________

GENERAL PRAYERS:

For BABY BLAKE, a young child who received a kidney transplant from Laurie Jansen, a friend of many in the congregation.

 

For KAILYN AND HAILEY BLECHLE AND THEIR FAMILY as they mourn the loss of their great grandpa Ray Wilson.  

 

For MARIANNE LINKE, as she remains in Warrenton Manor due to trouble with congestive heart troubles and pneumonia.

 

For JOANNE HACHTEL, as she recovers from rotator cuff surgery.

 

For PASTOR MCCRACKEN, from Trinity in Troy, who is on a two month leave to heal from cancer treatments.

 

For PASTOR PIPER, from St. Paul, New Melle, as he recovers from a heart attack he had while running a 5K in Florida.

 

For THOSE DEALING WITH FLOODING PROBLEMS in the days and weeks ahead, that the Lord would provide for their needs, and use us, if need be, to help. 

 

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

 

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FW: Daily Email: Tuesday, January 19, 2016

DEVOTION:  1 Corinthians 12:12-31a

One Body with Many Members

¹² For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. ¹³ For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves^[a] or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.
¹⁴ For the body does not consist of one member but of many. ¹⁵ If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. ¹⁶ And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body. ¹⁷ If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? ¹⁸ But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. ¹⁹ If all were a single member, where would the body be? ²⁰ As it is, there are many parts,^[b] yet one body.
²¹ The eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you," nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." ²² On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, ²³ and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, ²⁴ which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, ²⁵ that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. ²⁶ If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.
²⁷ Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. ²⁸ And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. ²⁹ Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? ³⁰ Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? ³¹ But earnestly desire the higher gifts.
 
 
We all have our parts to play in the church.  No one person is more important than another.  It is one big family! 
 
Do you think of the church as your family?  Or is it just like a membership in any other club in which you pay your dues to get something out of it? 
 
In a family, every person has his or her thing to do, responsibility to the greater good.  In a family everyone in it has something invested in it.  If you are a member of a family, the family is yours.  A club is owned and run by someone else.  You just come and pay your dues and get the benefits. 
 
Have you ever had something as small as a hangnail.  That little soreness effects your whole body.  When you bump it on something the whole body cringes.  Or if you have a sore bac, are you able to concentrate on anything else? 
 
So it is with the church.  We rejoice together and we suffer together.  We are a FAMILY!  We are the BODY OF CHRIST!
 
Prayer:  Lord, make me live as part of the body of Christ and take my membership in that body, that family, seriously.  Amen.

__________________________________________________________________
CALENDAR:

Wed- Ladies Aid meeting at noon; Choir 7pm
Thurs- Newsletter deadline
Sat-  Basement reserved; worship 5pm (Pastor Grund will be here.)
Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45; High School youth Bible Study 5pm
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
WORSHIP WORKERS:  
Acolyte-  8:30- Jack Bunge; 11- Jacob Cluver

Ushers-  Marv Hendershot, Don Luebke, Dave Callies, Don Nolte

Altar- Set up- Marilyn Foster, and Sue Ruhl; Clean up- Lois Boeger

Elders- Sat- John Hachtel; 8:30- Jason Cluver; 11- Jim Rahn

Greeters- 8:30- Rob and Julie Schaumberg; 11- Dan and Lisa Rausch

Lay readers- Sat- John Hachtel; 8:30-Jacob Nagel; 11 - Jim Rahn

Sat. Pianist- Molly Hendershot

Organist-  Rachel Fisher

Projectionists:  Sat- (None, Pastor Grund here) 8:30-  Alaina Heitgerd; 11- Zack Hoelscher
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
YESTERDAY'S  BIBLE QUIZ:    What did Shechem do to Dinah, and what did Dinah's brothers do in revenge?

 

(No answer yesterday so I'm leaving it up till I get one!)

___________________________________________________________________________

NEWS!!!! 

2016 ALTAR FLOWER CHART IS PRETTY EMPTY!!

It is hanging on the bulletin board in the narthex.  Sign up if you wish to place flowers on the altar!  If it is for a special occasion (in memory of loved one, birthday, anniversary, etc.) please indicate that as well.  Cost is $25 payable to St. John's. 

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

FELLOWSHIP REFRESHMENT SIGN UP SHEET IN ON THE WALL BY THE COFFEE POT.  IF YOU HAVE BEEN THE RECIPIENT OF DONUTS IN THE PAST, MAYBE IT'S TIME YOU GIVE BACK!!!

Sign up today and make some Sunday school kid's day!

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS ARE IN YOUR MAILBOXES!!! 

Are you getting ready to do your taxes?  Don't forget about your offering statements in your church mailboxes!  You could even give the money you get back from this itemization to church! 

_________________________________________________________________________________

HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH BIBLE STUDY MEETING AND PIZZA SUNDAY JANUARY 24 @ 5PM!!

We will be talking about what it means to live in God's grace without getting lazy.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

PLEASE COME AND GET YOUR DISHES FROM THE KITCHEN!!

One more week and then those dishes that are left will be taken to Good Shepherd Thrift Store to be sold.

_________________________________________________________________________

YOUTH STEAK DINNER AND AUCTION TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW!!

Tickets are $25 a piece.  All proceeds go to help our youth afford their trip down to New Orleans for the National Youth Gathering as well as do many other service projects and youth events.

 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

OPERATION BACKPACK FOR JANUARY IS CANNED FRUIT!!

You can also do individual size cups.

 

(Remember this is for the poor and needy children of our community and county that often receive two breakfast and lunch at school, and have very little or no food at home.)

___________________________________________________________________________________

GENERAL PRAYERS:

For BABY BLAKE, a young child who received a kidney transplant from Laurie Jansen, a friend of many in the congregation.

 

For KAILYN AND HAILEY BLECHLE AND THEIR FAMILY as they mourn the loss of their great grandpa Ray Wilson.  

 

For MARIANNE LINKE, as she remains in Warrenton Manor due to trouble with congestive heart troubles and pneumonia.

 

For JOANNE HACHTEL, as she recovers from rotator cuff surgery.

 

For PASTOR MCCRACKEN, from Trinity in Troy, who is on a two month leave to heal from cancer treatments.

 

For PASTOR PIPER, from St. Paul, New Melle, as he recovers from a heart attack he had while running a 5K in Florida.

 

For THOSE DEALING WITH FLOODING PROBLEMS in the days and weeks ahead, that the Lord would provide for their needs, and use us, if need be, to help. 

 

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

 

--
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To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to stjohnswarrenton+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
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UPCOMING WEBINAR - Equipping the Parents of Prodigal Young Adults

I thought this looked very interesting, and would be very helpful to many PARENTS OF ADULT CHILDREN WHO HAVE LEFT THE CHURCH OR ARE CURRENTLY INACTIVE.  Check it out and sign up! 

UPCOMING WEBINAR - Saturday, January 23 10 a.m. Central Time Equipping the Parents of Prodigal Young Adults Speaker: Paula Isakson Join us on Saturday, January 23rd at 10 a.m. Central Standard Time for a live, one-hour webinar: Equipping the Parents of Prodigal Young Adults with guest speaker, Paula Isakson. Many Christian parents are devastated to see their children leave the church. The feelings of failure, anger, and sadness can leave parents feeling isolated and helpless. Isakson, founder of Faith Family Reunion, will share her own prodigal story and give tools to reach parents of prodigals with the life-changing message of hope and support. Click here to participate, then create a user name and click "enter as guest". Visit www.lhm.org/missionu Courses Webinar Series Contact Us   UPCOMING COURSES 1/30/2016: MU-101 The Village Lutheran Church Lacombe, Louisiana 1/30/2016: MU-201 Hope Lutheran Church Shawnee, Kansas 1/30/2016: MU-301 St. Paul's Lutheran Church Strasburg, Illinois 2/6/2016: MU-102 Mount Calvary Lutheran Church Janesville, Wisconsin view full schedule >>     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

Daily Email: Tuesday, January 19, 2016

DEVOTION: Nehemiah 8:1-10 (ESV)

Ezra Reads the Law

8 And all the people gathered as one man into the square before the Water Gate. And they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses that the Lord had commanded Israel. ² So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could understand what they heard, on the first day of the seventh month. ³ And he read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand. And the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law.

 
⁵ And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was above all the people, and as he opened it all the people stood. ⁶ And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people answered, "Amen, Amen," lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground.
 
⁸ They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly,^[a] and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.
⁹ And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, "This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep." For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law. ¹⁰ Then he said to them, "Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."
 
 
Have you ever been so struck with guilt that you just fell down and wept?  It's not something that you can force.  You can't fake it.  It only comes naturally as the Holy Spirit uses the law to convict us of sin.  Only if our ears are truly open to hearing his Word and receiving His discipline can this happen. 
 
The Israelites had just returned from spending 70 years in captivity.  We can only imagine the struggles they went through for those 70 years.  Most of them who returned had been born into captivity and really probably had very little idea why they were even in captivity.  The rest remembered what it was like to be free and longed for it every day. 
 
When Ezra got up to read the law, I'm sure they were all in wonder and were eager to hear what God had to say to them,  Eager, that is, until Ezra got to the part where God tells them that if they are careful to keep the whole law and obey God and keep his commandments, they will live long in the land the Lord their God gave to them.  But if they do not keep the commandments, decrees, and laws they will not live long in the land, they began to feel the weight of their sin and come to understand that it was their own fault that they had been taken into captivity.  When they heard things like ""You shall have no other gods" and Honor your father and mother, and "Remember" the Sabbath", it was like a huge weight was dropped onto their shoulders and they were filled with grief and shame. 
 
I pray that you have, at one time or another, had this experience, only because it is how you SHOULD feel about your sin.  The weight of the guilt of your sin should crush you.  It should cause you great grief.  You should be knocked to the floor in utter shame and disgust. 
 
But don't stay in that shame and disgust.  Notice what Ezra tells the people.  He says, "This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn or weep.  Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."
 
Rejoice!  Your sins are forgiven!  Don't excuse sin.  Don't make it less than it really is.  Especially don't call sin good.  But also know that because of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, the power of sin has been destroyed and you are free from it.  Rejoice that the victory is won, and that you will be with Jesus forever!
 
Prayer: Lord, make me feel the weight of my sin and then lift that weight off of me by your mercy and grace.   Amen.
 
__________________________________________________________________
CALENDAR:

Tues- Quilters 9-2; Bible Study 11:30-12:15; Council Meeting 7pm

Wed- Ladies Aid meeting at noon; Choir 7pm
Thurs- Newsletter deadline
Sat-  Basement reserved; worship 5pm (Pastor Grund will be here.)
Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45; High School youth Bible Study 5pm
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
WORSHIP WORKERS:  
Acolyte-  8:30- Jack Bunge; 11- Jacob Cluver

Ushers-  Marv Hendershot, Don Luebke, Dave Callies, Don Nolte

Altar- Set up- Marilyn Foster, and Sue Ruhl; Clean up- Lois Boeger

Elders- Sat- John Hachtel; 8:30- Jason Cluver; 11- Jim Rahn

Greeters- 8:30- Rob and Julie Schaumberg; 11- Dan and Lisa Rausch

Lay readers- Sat- John Hachtel; 8:30-Jacob Nagel; 11 - Jim Rahn

Sat. Pianist- Molly Hendershot

Organist-  Rachel Fisher

Projectionists:  Sat- (None, Pastor Grund here) 8:30-  Alaina Heitgerd; 11- Zack Hoelscher
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
YESTERDAY'S  BIBLE QUIZ:    What did Joseph do to make sure his brothers came back after he sent them to get his youngest brother, Benjamin?  He made Simeon stay behind. 

__________________________________________________________________________________________

TODAY'S QUIZ: What did Shechem do to Dinah, and what did Dinah's brothers do in revenge?

___________________________________________________________________________

NEWS!!!! 

2016 ALTAR FLOWER CHART IS PRETTY EMPTY!!

It is hanging on the bulletin board in the narthex.  Sign up if you wish to place flowers on the altar!  If it is for a special occasion (in memory of loved one, birthday, anniversary, etc.) please indicate that as well.  Cost is $25 payable to St. John's. 

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

FELLOWSHIP REFRESHMENT SIGN UP SHEET IN ON THE WALL BY THE COFFEE POT.  IF YOU HAVE BEEN THE RECIPIENT OF DONUTS IN THE PAST, MAYBE IT'S TIME YOU GIVE BACK!!!

Sign up today and make some Sunday school kid's day!

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS ARE IN YOUR MAILBOXES!!! 

Are you getting ready to do your taxes?  Don't forget about your offering statements in your church mailboxes!  You could even give the money you get back from this itemization to church! 

_________________________________________________________________________________

HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH BIBLE STUDY MEETING AND PIZZA SUNDAY JANUARY 24 @ 5PM!!

We will be talking about what it means to live in God's grace without getting lazy.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

PLEASE COME AND GET YOUR DISHES FROM THE KITCHEN!!

One more week and then those dishes that are left will be taken to Good Shepherd Thrift Store to be sold.

_________________________________________________________________________

YOUTH STEAK DINNER AND AUCTION TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW!!

Tickets are $25 a piece.  All proceeds go to help our youth afford their trip down to New Orleans for the National Youth Gathering as well as do many other service projects and youth events.

 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

OPERATION BACKPACK FOR JANUARY IS CANNED FRUIT!!

You can also do individual size cups.

 

(Remember this is for the poor and needy children of our community and county that often receive two breakfast and lunch at school, and have very little or no food at home.)

___________________________________________________________________________________

GENERAL PRAYERS:

For BABY BLAKE, a young child who received a kidney transplant from Laurie Jansen, a friend of many in the congregation.

 

For KAILYN AND HAILEY BLECHLE AND THEIR FAMILY as they mourn the loss of their great grandpa Ray Wilson.  

 

For MARIANNE LINKE, as she remains in Warrenton Manor due to trouble with congestive heart troubles and pneumonia.

 

For JOANNE HACHTEL, as she recovers from rotator cuff surgery.

 

For PASTOR MCCRACKEN, from Trinity in Troy, who is on a two month leave to heal from cancer treatments.

 

For PASTOR PIPER, from St. Paul, New Melle, as he recovers from a heart attack he had while running a 5K in Florida.

 

For THOSE DEALING WITH FLOODING PROBLEMS in the days and weeks ahead, that the Lord would provide for their needs, and use us, if need be, to help. 

 

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

 

Daily Email: Monday, January 18, 2016

DEVOTION: Psalm 19English Standard Version (ESV)

19 The heavens declare the glory of God,
    and the sky above^[a] proclaims his handiwork.
² Day to day pours out speech,
    and night to night reveals knowledge.
³ There is no speech, nor are there words,
    whose voice is not heard.
⁴ Their voice^[b] goes out through all the earth,
    and their words to the end of the world.
In them he has set a tent for the sun,
⁵     which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
    and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
⁶ Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
    and its circuit to the end of them,
    and there is nothing hidden from its heat.

⁷ The law of the Lord is perfect,^[c]
    reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure,
    making wise the simple;
⁸ the precepts of the Lord are right,
    rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure,
    enlightening the eyes;
⁹ the fear of the Lord is clean,
    enduring forever;
the rules^[d] of the Lord are true,
    and righteous altogether.
¹⁰ More to be desired are they than gold,
    even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey
    and drippings of the honeycomb.
¹¹ Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
    in keeping them there is great reward.

¹² Who can discern his errors?
    Declare me innocent from hidden faults.
¹³ Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins;
    let them not have dominion over me!
Then I shall be blameless,
    and innocent of great transgression.

¹⁴ Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
    be acceptable in your sight,
    O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

 
 
I love this Psalm, I love all off them, but I especially love this one, because it reminds me not to question God or his Word.  His decrees, commands, and promises are good, right true, certain and final.  They are the first and last word on any subject.  When he says something we better listen and then simply say "OK". 
 
We have no right to argue with God saying things like  "Ya but...." or "What about......?" or, "That may have been ok for that time and place, but....."  or "I think you're wrong God".  
 
We can see from Scripture, especially the Old Testament, what happens when we do.  We become captive to sin and its desires.  We fall away from Almighty God.  We lose our way.  It does us no good to question God's Word.  We can complain, as Job did, when we don't know what God's will is, or when something bad is happening to us and we have no clue why.  We can, as David did, express our grief, pain, or anger to God and he will listen.  But we cannot argue with god when he flat out tells us something. 
 
How would that work at your job?  Say your boss tells you to go and do something, and as soon as he tells you, you retort back with, "I don't agree with that", or "I think you're  wrong" or "Why would you ask me to do that, it doesn't make any sense?"  How long would you have that job?  How much more should we listen to and do what God tells us?  He is our maker and redeemer!!  He controls our very breath!  How dare we question God? 
 
Even more, God has our best interests at heart and he is always looking out for us.  He wants us to survive and thrive in this world, and he knows just how to do it.  He gives us the way to do it.  Why wouldn't we listen to the guy who knows everything about everything?
 
 
 
As LCMS (Lutheran Church Missouri Synod) Christians, we believe that the Word of God (the Bible) is inerrant (without error) and infallible (can stand up to any test).  We believe that it is ALL God's Word.  We believe that it is inspired By God, which means that God breathed into (which is what the word "inspired" means in the Greek) the writers what they were to write word for word.  Peter says in 2 Peter 1:21 "For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." 
 
Let's live in God's Word, listen to him, and submit to His will today!
 
Prayer: Lord, thank you for giving us your word of truth so we can know your salvation, and be made holy by your Spirit.  Amen.
 
 

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CALENDAR:

Mon- Martin Luther King Jr. Day.  No Confirmation or Family Night

Tues- Quilters 9-2; Bible Study 11:30-12:15; Council Meeting 7pm

Wed- Ladies Aid meeting at noon; Choir 7pm
Thurs- Newsletter deadline
Sat-  Basement reserved; worship 5pm (Pastor Grund will be here.)
Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45; High School youth Bible Study 5pm
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WORSHIP WORKERS:  
Acolyte-  8:30- Jack Bunge; 11- Jacob Cluver

Ushers-  Marv Hendershot, Don Luebke, Dave Callies, Don Nolte

Altar- Set up- Marilyn Foster, and Sue Ruhl; Clean up- Lois Boeger

Elders- Sat- John Hachtel; 8:30- Jason Cluver; 11- Jim Rahn

Greeters- 8:30- Rob and Julie Schaumberg; 11- Dan and Lisa Rausch

Lay readers- Sat- John Hachtel; 8:30-Jacob Nagel; 11 - Jim Rahn

Sat. Pianist- Molly Hendershot

Organist-  Rachel Fisher

Projectionists:  Sat- (None, Pastor Grund here) 8:30-  Alaina Heitgerd; 11- Zack Hoelscher
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YESTERDAY'S  BIBLE QUIZ:    What was the pillar of stones called "Jegar Sahadutha" or "Galeed" all about? 

⁴⁵ So Jacob took a stone and set it up as a pillar. ⁴⁶ And Jacob said to his kinsmen, "Gather stones." And they took stones and made a heap, and they ate there by the heap. ⁴⁷ Laban called it Jegar-sahadutha,^[a] but Jacob called it Galeed.^{[b] 48} Laban said, "This heap is a witness between you and me today." Therefore he named it Galeed, ⁴⁹ and Mizpah,^[c] for he said, "The Lord watch between you and me, when we are out of one another's sight. ⁵⁰ If you oppress my daughters, or if you take wives besides my daughters, although no one is with us, see, God is witness between you and me."

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TODAY'S QUIZ: What did Joseph do to make sure his brothers came back after he sent them to get his youngest brother, Benjamin?

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NEWS!!!! 

2016 ALTAR FLOWER CHART IS PRETTY EMPTY!!

It is hanging on the bulletin board in the narthex.  Sign up if you wish to place flowers on the altar!  If it is for a special occasion (in memory of loved one, birthday, anniversary, etc.) please indicate that as well.  Cost is $25 payable to St. John's. 

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FELLOWSHIP REFRESHMENT SIGN UP SHEET IN ON THE WALL BY THE COFFEE POT.  IF YOU HAVE BEEN THE RECIPIENT OF DONUTS IN THE PAST, MAYBE IT'S TIME YOU GIVE BACK!!!

Sign up today and make some Sunday school kid's day!

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CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS ARE IN YOUR MAILBOXES!!! 

Are you getting ready to do your taxes?  Don't forget about your offering statements in your church mailboxes!  You could even give the money you get back from this itemization to church! 

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HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH BIBLE STUDY MEETING AND PIZZA SUNDAY JANUARY 24 @ 5PM!!

Pastor K. wants to get back in touch with the high school kids after Christmas break, and start to prepare them for the youth gathering coming up this Summer!  Please plan on being there!!!

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PLEASE COME AND GET YOUR DISHES FROM THE KITCHEN!!

One more week and then those dishes that are left will be taken to Good Shepherd Thrift Store to be sold.

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YOUTH STEAK DINNER AND AUCTION TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW!!

Tickets are $25 a piece.  All proceeds go to help our youth afford their trip down to New Orleans for the National Youth Gathering as well as do many other service projects and youth events.

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OPERATION BACKPACK FOR JANUARY IS CANNED FRUIT!!

You can also do individual size cups.

 

(Remember this is for the poor and needy children of our community and county that often receive two breakfast and lunch at school, and have very little or no food at home.)

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GENERAL PRAYERS:

For KAILYN AND HAILEY BLECHLE AND THEIR FAMILY as they mourn the loss of their great grandpa Ray Wilson.

 

For PAUL AND TERESA BROCKFELD, soon to become members of St. John's, as their gunsmith business was torched yesterday morning.

 

For MARIANNE LINKE, as she remains in Warrenton Manor due to trouble with congestive heart troubles and pneumonia.

 

For JOANNE HACHTEL, as she recovers from rotator cuff surgery.

 

For PASTOR MCCRACKEN, from Trinity in Troy, who is on a two month leave to heal from cancer treatments.

 

For PASTOR PIPER, from St. Paul, New Melle, as he recovers from a heart attack he had while running a 5K in Florida.

 

For THOSE DEALING WITH FLOODING PROBLEMS in the days and weeks ahead, that the Lord would provide for their needs, and use us, if need be, to help. 

 

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

 

A little snow shouldn't stop you

 Yes, it is snowing, but it isn't as bad as it looks from your window! 
 
Get out and enjoy the winter wonderland and get some Word and Sacrament to warm you up!

FW: The Voice of Missouri E-Newsletter

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PUBLISHED BY THE MISSOURI DISTRICT OF THE LUTHERAN CHURCH—MISSOURI SYNOD JANUARY 15, 2016 The Missouri District is very excited about our new additional efforts to communicate with you. In addition to our current website, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn communications, we are expanding to include the following: Weekly Voice of Missouri e-newsletter (The Voice of Missouri will no longer be a quarterly, printed and mailed newspaper) Monthly extended printable version of the Voice of Missouri e-newsletter Monthly District Newsnotes (important Missouri District wide related news/announcements and events) that will be sent to church offices to be placed in the church's newsletters/bulletins and/or website. This is the second edition of the new weekly Voice of Missouri e-newsletter. It will be e-mailed weekly on a Friday. We hope you enjoy it! New Church Dedication: Christ the King Lutheran of Lake Ozark The new sanctuary of Christ the King Lutheran Church of Lake Ozark was dedicated on Sunday, January 10th at a historic Dedication Service attended by 360 congregation members, visitors, clergy and contractors. The date for the dedication held special meaning for members and pastors as it was reflective of other milestone events in the congregation's history.  Read more here... New Beginnings Lutheran Church in Pacific Help to Refurbish Flood Damaged Homes L to R: Travis Torbala, Dr, Craig Schmidt and Pastor Joe Sullivan from New Beginnings Lutheran Church in Pacific. New Beginnings Lutheran Church in Pacific has taken the lead on refurbishing flood damaged homes in Fenton and Pacific, Mo. Over the last two weeks, church members have been in the process of readying homes for renovations by tearing out and disposing drywall and other damaged structural materials..... Read more Rural Ethnic Ministry Contributed by Rev. Richard Boring, Executive for Missions and Revitalization for The LCMS Nebraska District Vacation Bible School students at the Nickerson, Neb., dance while learning songs about Jesus and  His love for them. Rural communities have changed in the past couple decades. Ethnic diversity used to be Germans and Norwegians. Today our new neighbors are of Hispanic, African and Asian descent. It is a foreshadowing of heaven: "After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, [was] standing before the throne and before the Lamb" (Rev. 7:9). Read more . . .   Missouri District Mission Grants The Missouri District would like to announce the opening of the application period for Missouri District Mission Grants. Click here to download the form to apply for a 2016-2017 mission grant. Mission grants are designed for new mission start-ups, not for maintenance of sustaining ministries. In a few unique situations, funds may be available for some additional years. Mission grant funds are designated to support new mission plants within the boundaries of the Missouri District.  Read more . . .   Reformation 500 The Lutheran Reformation website is open from now until the end of 2017: resources for schools, congregations, and all Lutherans will be posted as they come available. This is meant to be the primary location for resources in celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. Additionally, the LCMS School Ministry Office will be producing educational resources specifically focused on the Reformation. Each of the resources produced will be available on the Lutheran Reformation website. Executive Director of LASE The Lutheran Association for Special Education in the St. Louis area is seeking an individual to serve as Executive Director who will report directly to the Board of Directors of the organization. LASE assists and supports schools in addressing the cognitive, social, and spiritual development of children with special needs so they can fully enjoy their God-given potential. LASE currently has a presence in fourteen Lutheran schools in the St. Louis metropolitan area. The target date for this position is July 1, 2016. Individuals interested in this position are invited to send a letter of interest and resume to: Mrs. Bette Schlie, VP and Search Team Chairman, 3 Hunters Hill Ct., Chesterfield, MO 63017. Letters and resumes will be accepted through February 15, 2016. Candidates will be considered through an ongoing process. Final selection is anticipated by April 15, 2016. Announcements/Other News Treat someone you love to the angelic sound of handbells with a performance from the Christ Memorial Ringers and Missouri Baptist Ringers on Sunday, Feb. 14, 2 p.m. at Christ Memorial Lutheran Church, 5252 S. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63126.  A Valentine's Day chocolate reception will be held immediatly following the performance. There is a $5 suggested donation. District and Church Events            ( Peer Ministry Training for High School Students, Missouri District Junior High Spring Retreat, National Youth Gathering and            RSTM: Engaging Your Community Event) Installations and Ordinations Personnel Changes and Calling Congregations LCMS Missouri District News                            (Send Me St. Louis Announces Winter/Spring Training Schedule) Obituaries

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