DEVOTION: Luke 20:9-20 (ESV)
"The Parable of the Wicked Tenants"
9 And he began to tell the people this parable: "A man planted a vineyard and let it out to tenants and went into another country for a long while. 10 When the time came, he sent a servant[a] to the tenants, so that they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed. 11 And he sent another servant. But they also beat and treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty-handed. 12 And he sent yet a third. This one also they wounded and cast out. 13 Then the owner of the vineyard said, 'What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.' 14 But when the tenants saw him, they said to themselves, 'This is the heir. Let us kill him, so that the inheritance may be ours.' 15 And they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? 16 He will come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others." When they heard this, they said, "Surely not!" 17 But he looked directly at them and said, "What then is this that is written:
This parable is about God's relationship with the people he created.
1. He gave us this world to us to live in and to reap the benefits of it.
2. He sent prophet after prophet (Moses, Elijah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Ezekiel, etc.) that the people rejected and treated badly. People continue to reject the Word today.
3. Then he sent his Son, and they rejected him. They beat him and they killed him thinking they could somehow keep the property for themselves. They didn't understand that the Lord had sent His Son to rescue them. People still reject Him and act hostile toward Him.
Even though the world is not ours, we often think it is. Even though our possessions and even our own abilities and talents are gifts from God, we somehow think that they are ours, and so we treat them as such. When we fail to realize that all we have is a gift of God, and then he comes expecting to get just some of the fruit of the vineyard, and we don't give him what is owed to him, namely the honor, respect, love and the fruits of faith that he has cultivated, what do you think his reaction should be?
Thankfully, if you believe and have received the owner of the vineyard, namely the Lord Himself, you need not worry about being destroyed. This parable is a warning to those who reject God's message and His messengers. It is a warning to those who think that the vineyard, namely their very lives, are their own and not the Lord's. It is a warning to those who don't realize and understand that the Lord is God, and He alone will judge.
It is also a reminder of God's grace to us even while we are here on this earth. He has planted this world, with all of it's blessings and put us in this vineyard we call earth, not to abuse it, and certainly not to dishonor our creator with it, but to keep it and harvest it for the day when the Lord returns!
Live in this world knowing that it is only temporary, that it is not your own, and that one day the master will return and all we have to do is receive him and share his fruit with Him forever!
Prayer: Lord, you have blessed us with so many blessings, too abundant for us to recount it all. Make us grateful tenants of your creation, and help us to share the fruits of your labor with you. Amen.
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CALENDAR:
Thurs- Board of outreach meeting has been moved to next Tuesday at 6pm; Gun club organizational meeting 7pm
Sat- worship 5pm
Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45; Elder meeting noon
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WORSHIP WORKERS:
Acolyte- 8:30- Hannah Johnson 11- Gus Klaustermeier
Ushers- Sun- Scott and Alex Heitgerd, Bob and Tom Linke
Altar- Sun Set up- Terry McKenzie ; Clean up- Wanda Turnure
Elders- Sat- Steve Robine; 8:30- Roy Bohning; 11- Don Turnure
Greeters- 8:30- Allan and Barb Dreyer; 11- Dan and Lisa Rausch
Lay Readers- Sat- Steve Robine; 8:30- Tim Linke; 11 - Kailyn Blechle
Pianist- Sat- Barb Dreyer
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"The Parable of the Wicked Tenants"
9 And he began to tell the people this parable: "A man planted a vineyard and let it out to tenants and went into another country for a long while. 10 When the time came, he sent a servant[a] to the tenants, so that they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenants beat him and sent him away empty-handed. 11 And he sent another servant. But they also beat and treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty-handed. 12 And he sent yet a third. This one also they wounded and cast out. 13 Then the owner of the vineyard said, 'What shall I do? I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.' 14 But when the tenants saw him, they said to themselves, 'This is the heir. Let us kill him, so that the inheritance may be ours.' 15 And they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? 16 He will come and destroy those tenants and give the vineyard to others." When they heard this, they said, "Surely not!" 17 But he looked directly at them and said, "What then is this that is written:
"'The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone'?[b]
18 Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, and when it falls on anyone, it will crush him."
19 The scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hands on him at that very hour, for they perceived that he had told this parable against them, but they feared the people. 20 So they watched him and sent spies, who pretended to be sincere, that they might catch him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor.This parable is about God's relationship with the people he created.
1. He gave us this world to us to live in and to reap the benefits of it.
2. He sent prophet after prophet (Moses, Elijah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, Ezekiel, etc.) that the people rejected and treated badly. People continue to reject the Word today.
3. Then he sent his Son, and they rejected him. They beat him and they killed him thinking they could somehow keep the property for themselves. They didn't understand that the Lord had sent His Son to rescue them. People still reject Him and act hostile toward Him.
Even though the world is not ours, we often think it is. Even though our possessions and even our own abilities and talents are gifts from God, we somehow think that they are ours, and so we treat them as such. When we fail to realize that all we have is a gift of God, and then he comes expecting to get just some of the fruit of the vineyard, and we don't give him what is owed to him, namely the honor, respect, love and the fruits of faith that he has cultivated, what do you think his reaction should be?
Thankfully, if you believe and have received the owner of the vineyard, namely the Lord Himself, you need not worry about being destroyed. This parable is a warning to those who reject God's message and His messengers. It is a warning to those who think that the vineyard, namely their very lives, are their own and not the Lord's. It is a warning to those who don't realize and understand that the Lord is God, and He alone will judge.
It is also a reminder of God's grace to us even while we are here on this earth. He has planted this world, with all of it's blessings and put us in this vineyard we call earth, not to abuse it, and certainly not to dishonor our creator with it, but to keep it and harvest it for the day when the Lord returns!
Live in this world knowing that it is only temporary, that it is not your own, and that one day the master will return and all we have to do is receive him and share his fruit with Him forever!
Prayer: Lord, you have blessed us with so many blessings, too abundant for us to recount it all. Make us grateful tenants of your creation, and help us to share the fruits of your labor with you. Amen.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
CALENDAR:
Thurs- Board of outreach meeting has been moved to next Tuesday at 6pm; Gun club organizational meeting 7pm
Sat- worship 5pm
Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school 9:45; Elder meeting noon
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________
WORSHIP WORKERS:
Acolyte- 8:30- Hannah Johnson 11- Gus Klaustermeier
Ushers- Sun- Scott and Alex Heitgerd, Bob and Tom Linke
Altar- Sun Set up- Terry McKenzie ; Clean up- Wanda Turnure
Elders- Sat- Steve Robine; 8:30- Roy Bohning; 11- Don Turnure
Greeters- 8:30- Allan and Barb Dreyer; 11- Dan and Lisa Rausch
Lay Readers- Sat- Steve Robine; 8:30- Tim Linke; 11 - Kailyn Blechle
Pianist- Sat- Barb Dreyer
Organist- Wed and Sun- Rachel Fisher
Projectionists: Sat- Perricone 8:30- Schaumberg; 11- Kalene Masters
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YESTERDAY'S BIBLE QUIZ: Where was Moses supposed to go to see the Promised Land and to die?
Projectionists: Sat- Perricone 8:30- Schaumberg; 11- Kalene Masters
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YESTERDAY'S BIBLE QUIZ: Where was Moses supposed to go to see the Promised Land and to die?
Deuteronomy 32:48-52 (ESV)
48 That very day the Lord spoke to Moses, 49 "Go up this mountain of the Abarim, Mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, opposite Jericho, and view the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the people of Israel for a possession. 50 And die on the mountain which you go up, and be gathered to your people, as Aaron your brother died in Mount Hor and was gathered to his people, 51 because you broke faith with me in the midst of the people of Israel at the waters of Meribah-kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin, and because you did not treat me as holy in the midst of the people of Israel. 52 For you shall see the land before you, but you shall not go there, into the land that I am giving to the people of Israel."
Thanks Don Nolte!
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TODAY'S BIBLE QUIZ: Who saved the Israelite spies in Jericho? What was her occupation? Who is her most famous descendant?
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NEWS!!!!
GUN CLUB ORGANIZATIONAL/INFORMATIONAL MEETING TONIGHT AT 7PM!!!
1. I'd like it to at least start out on an introductory/educational level to learn the basics of gun safety and handling.
2. I'd also like it to include everyone: men and women, boys and girls.
3. The first 15 minutes of our gatherings would be devotion/Bible study time.
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HOW MUCH DO YOU ACTUALLY KNOW ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A LUTHERAN?
How did it start?
Who is Martin Luther?
Why are there so many different Lutheran denominations?
Why am I Lutheran?
What do Lutherans believe about:
Angels
Demons
ghosts
heaven
hell
politics
guns
death penalty
etc..........
If you want to know then mark your calendars for the first Wednesday after Easter at 7pm to be at church!!
We are going to begin a class called "Lutheranism 101", which I would say is like the advanced class after confirmation.
Please reply or call/email @ 636-359-1061 to let me know you are interested.
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SIGN UP FOR CHURCH DIRECTORY PHOTOS!!
The photographer will be here March 16-19. Sign up after worship or online through the church website www.stjohnswarrenton.com Go to the website and click on the text link to the photographer's scheduling site. For assistance or questions contact Alan Hofeldt at 456-3070.
And just a reminder that next week, when you get your family picture taken, bring food for Operation Backpack, and you will get $5 off your picture order. Keep it in mind when you go to the grocery store.
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SIGN UP FOR EASTER LILLIES!
A sign up sheet is on the counter in the narthex. Sign your name and if in memory of someone or for a special occasion. Price is $14.50 each. You will be able to take them home after Easter Services.
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LITTLE LAMBS PRESCHOOL WILL BE ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2016-2017 SCHOOL YEAR STARTING TOMORROW FOR CURRENT STUDENTS AND ST. JOHN'S MEMBERS!!! OPEN REGISTRATION FOR EVERYONE STARTS APRIL 1.
Registration forms are available from Little Lambs or the church office. All registration forms must accompany the $45 nonrefundable registration fee. Children should be 3 or 4 by August 1. For more info talk to Lisa Rausch or Karin Klaustermeier.
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SATURDAY PIANIST NEEDED
We could use another pianist on Saturday night since Tim and Kathleen Sherman have moved to Wentzville and transferred their membership there. Please let me know if you or someone you know is available one Saturday a month. You get paid.
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PLEASE SUPPORT LITERACY IN WARREN COUNTY!!
Warren County Literacy Inc. (of which I am a member and on the board along with Allan Dreyer) is going to be giving away 70 bookcases stocked with books in April to children who are in the head Start Program in Warren County. This is the fifth year for this wonderful event. What we need is people to sponsor a bookcase for $50. If you are able and willing, please reply to this email or call/text at 636-359-1961. Make checks payable to Warren County Literacy Inc. The ceremony at which the kids get their bookcases is on Sunday, April 10 at 2pm at Wright City Middle School.
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ONE MORE LENT DINNER NEXT WEDNESDAY AT 5:30PM!!
A generous free will offering is strongly encouraged!!
March 16-
Fried Chicken
potatoes
corn
rolls
desserts
March 16-
Fried Chicken
potatoes
corn
rolls
desserts
As always, thank you for your continued support of the future of Christianity!!!
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DO YOU KNOW OF ANYONE WHO WOULD BENEFIT FROM RECEIVING THIS DAILY EMAIL?
If you know of someone who isn't currently receiving my daily emails but would like to, please reply to this email with their email address and I will add them to the list. THANK YOU!
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OPERATION BACKPACK FOR MARCH IS INDIVIDUALLY WRAPPED SNACKS AND PACKETS OF OATMEAL!!
(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 MELISSA BADER as she prepares to undergo extensive back surgery to fuse three vertebrae together. Her recovery will be very long and extensive. Pray for her family, especially Leo, as they prepare to care for her
For SHARON GARRETT a friend to some at St. John's, and soon-to-be member, who fell and broke both of her ankles and is recovering at Delmar Gardens, O'Fallon.
For DON BRAZEE as he has finally been diagnosed with a small spot of cancer in his lung and will be starting treatment soon.
For MARIAH, a granddaughter of Pat Jaeger's best friend, who has been diagnosed with childhood leukemia.
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 DENISE SCHLESSELMANN as she is in need of more funding to continue her mission work in the Czech Republic.
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