St. John's Lutheran ChurchWarrenton, MO

Daily Email: Tuesday, May 10, 2016

DEVOTION: Genesis 11:1-9 (ESV)

"The Tower of Babel"

11 Now the whole earth had one language and the same words. ²And as people migrated from the east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there. ³And they said to one another, "Come, let us make bricks, and burn them thoroughly." And they had brick for stone, and bitumen for mortar. ⁴Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth." ⁵And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of man had built. ⁶And the Lord said, "Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language, and this is only the beginning of what they will do. And nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them. ⁷Come, let us go down and there confuse their language, so that they may not understand one another's speech." ⁸So the Lord dispersed them from there over the face of all the earth, and they left off building the city. ⁹Therefore its name was called Babel, because there the Lord confused^[a] the language of all the earth. And from there the Lord dispersed them over the face of all the earth.

Doesn't God seem vindictive and mean in this passage? He does if you don't understand what is really going on here.

1. This is after the fall of Adam and Eve, and part of their curse was that they weren't perfect anymore and couldn't do whatever they wanted. They had lost their free will.

2. They're plan was to reach all the way up to God. They thought they could reach God, but God is not someone or something to be attained or reached. God only reaches down to us.

3. They wanted to "make a name for ourselves". Their purpose for building this city and its tower was to make themselves out to be most important. There was no regard for God. They had lost all knowledge of God and were only thinking of themselves.

God isn't being vindictive. He isn't just messing with the people. This is all part of the fall. It is all part of what it means to be sinful human beings living in a sinful world.

There will come a day when the confusion of languages will cease. We had a glimpse of it at Pentecost when the Holy Spirit gave the disciples the power to proclaim the Gospel in all of the languages that were present, fifteen different languages in all.

As we wait for that day to come, let us pray to God the Holy Spirit to remove whatever obstacles are in our way to proclaiming the Gospel, and when he removes those obstacles that we are ready, willing, and able to proclaim the Gospel as we are able.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for that day of Pentecost when you gave the disciples the ability to proclaim the good news in the languages of the world! Give us the abilities we need to proclaim he good news to the people around us. Amen.

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CALENDAR:
Tues- Little Lambs 3 Graduation 6pm; Trustees Meeting 7pm
Wed- Little Lambs 4 Graduation 6pm; Choir practice 7pm
Thurs-  Lutheranism 101 is postponed for the next two Thursdays. It will resume on May 26 at 7pm
Sat- Worship 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30; Kid's Sunday school 9:45; Voter's Meeting 9:45; Worship 11
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WORSHIP WORKERS:
Acolyte- 8:30- John Pezold    11- Jacob Winn

Ushers- Charlie Figura, Jason Figura, Brett Nordwald, Erv Yoder

Altar- Set up- Don Hance; Clean Up- Sandy Robine

Elders-  Sat- Randy Fischer;  8:30- Dave Winter; 11- Jim Rahn

Greeters- 8:30- Allan and Barb Dreyer; 11- Marv and Molly Hendershot

Lay Readers- Sat- Judy Koprowski   8:30- Jennifer Figura; 11- Stephanie Owenby

Organist- Rachel Fisher

Piano- Kathy Barrow

Projectionists: Sat- Kathy Fischer; 8:30- Dawn Sherman   11- Hannah Johnson
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:    What words in Psalm 2 are about Jesus?

(Another good and funny (but too long) answer from Pat King. hehe)

Really?!!! I can not believe you are going there.

So, okay. If we can all agree that the "Word" is Jesus – and we all should, since it's true – and that the Bible IS the "Word" of God – His story, so to speak – then logically we can safely say that ALL – and I will repeat it for those of you who have fallen asleep – All of Psalm 2 is about Jesus. Just as ALL ot the Bible is. Not just part, but ALL!

But, of course, that is not the answer you want, because it never is. Soooooo....

1) "The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD and against his Anointed One"(NIV, Ps 2:2).

2) "I will proclaim the decree of the LORD: He said to me,' You are my Son; today I have become your Father'" (Ps 2:7).

3) "You will rule them with an iron scepter; you will dash them to pieces like pottery" (Ps 2:9). John refers to this passage in Revelations, when describing Jesus, and how he will rule His kingdom. For further explanation of these 3 samples, you should read the following article:

http://www.theologythoughts.com/psalm-2-is-david-talking-about-himself-or-jesus

These 2 are just interesting to read. So read them! I don't find this stuff for you guys, because I have nothing better to do. I could be cleaning my house right now. Well, I wouldn't be – 'cause I hate, hate, hate housework – but you get the idea.

http://jesusplusnothing.com/studies/online/psalm2.htm

http://www.jesus.org/is-jesus-god/old-testament-prophecies/is-psalm-2-really-about-jesus.html

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TODAY'S QUIZ: What is Zion?

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NEWS!!!!

VOTERS' MEETING THIS SUNDAY AT 9:45!!

All chairs of boards and committees should have reports ready to present at the meeting.

Our one item to vote on in the agenda is to move Kelsey Overbeck's salary out of the temporary three year campaign and into the regular budget.

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OUR NEXT GUN GLUB MEETING WILL BE TUESDAY, MAY 17 at 7pm!!. IT WILL BE A "GET ACQUAINTED WITH ALL SORTS AND TYPES OF GUNS" EVENING.

Paul Brockfeld and Jason Cluver will bring a wide variety of guns (shotguns, rifles, and handguns) for us to look at and learn how to operate. We will all get to handle the guns. No shooting.

This will be a great opportunity check out all sorts of guns so you can be more confident and sure of your ability and knowledge, and even learn which one would best fit you!

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SOCIAL SECURITY: READY OR NOT WORKSHOP IS ON THURSDAY, MAY 19 at 6:30pm!

Come learn how a little planning could help you avoid making a mistake. You may save thousands over the rest of your life. Our government has made Social Security a moving target. Know how the new rules may affect you. The workshop will be sponsored by the Senior Services Resources Group! Drinks and Sandwiches will follow! Please call Marilyn at 456-2888 to reserve your seat.

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TRIBUTE TO VETERANS MEMORIAL PAVER PROJECT IS UNDERWAY

Place your order online at www.tributetoveteransmemorial.org or get an application from the office.

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CHURCH PICTORIAL DIRECTORY PHOTOS STILL NEEDED

Some members who were unable to attend a photo session during our scheduled times have asked to use their picture from the 2013 directory. LifeTouch has advised that there would be a $10 charge for that service. If you are interested please notify the church office as soon as possible and arrange for payment.

Also, if you didn't purchase other photos with the company you still have a complimentary photo waiting for you on the counter in the narthex.

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PASTOR KLAUSTERMEIER IS BIKING 1,000 MILES THIS SUMMER FOR LEADACHILD!!!

We have been blessed beyond measure in the United States haven't we? I want you to join me in making a global difference by releasing children from poverty through Christian education.

Instead of taking a week off and joining my fellow Lead a Child bikers who are riding the Fault Line across four states this year, I have decided to go solo and bike 1,000 miles locally and while on vacation by August 1 to raise funds for LeadaChild. Would you sponsor me so that I can raise funds to support this most worthy organization? In my opinion, there is no more worthy organization to support than LeadaChild!

LeadaChild provides educational assistance to over 26,000 children and shares the love of Jesus Christ with the students and their families! LeadaChild supports the poorest of the poor children through Christian education in the following countries:

Guatemala Chad Honduras Palestine Haiti Uganda

Gambia Ivory Coast El Salvador Nigeria Panama Nicaragua

Burma Ghana Chile Venezuela Bolivia Mexico

Liberia Uruguay Sri Lanka India Guinea Sierra Leone

Bangladesh Cambodia South Africa Togo Thailand

These students need your help to find a way out of poverty through Christian education and learn of the hope of Christ our Savior.

Please fill out your information below and send it with your check or donate online through the LeadaChild website: http://www.leadachild.org/bike

Every dollar makes a difference. Please give generously. Please remember all of the riders in your prayers! Thank you much for your support!

Biking For Kids Together,

Pastor Jeremy Klaustermeier

LeadaChild is a 501 C-3 non-profit organization and is a Recognized Service Organization of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.

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HELP LITTLE LAMBS GET SOME NEW PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT!!!

Order some Avon "Skin So Soft" from Little Lambs to help them raise money for new playground equipment! Call Karin at 314-691-7283 to place your order!

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OPERATION BACKPACK FOR MAY IS CANNED FRUIT!!!

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 PRAYER

For CHERYL, a cousin of Tony and Sandra Perricone, who is going through breast cancer treatment right now.

For FRIENDS AND FAMILY OF WILMA JUNKER, as they mourn her loss. She passed away last Friday after contracting pneumonia after hip surgery.

For BETH a daughter of a friend of the Fosters, who was in a very severe bicycle accident and has broken ribs, and punctured lung and a broken shoulder.

For DON BRAZEE who is at home and receiving in home care (They are calling it hospice care although he is in relatively good health, and is not in imminent danger of dying any time soon. They just have no cure for the problems he is having.)

For CAROL BRAZEE who is struggling with severe bronchitis and is seeing a pulmonologist today.

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

Daily Email: Monday, May 9, 2016

DEVOTION: Psalm 143 English Standard Version (ESV)

"My Soul Thirsts for You" A Psalm of David

143 Hear my prayer, O Lord;
    give ear to my pleas for mercy!
    In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness!
²Enter not into judgment with your servant,
    for no one living is righteous before you.

³For the enemy has pursued my soul;
    he has crushed my life to the ground;
    he has made me sit in darkness like those long dead.
⁴Therefore my spirit faints within me;
    my heart within me is appalled.

⁵I remember the days of old;
    I meditate on all that you have done;
    I ponder the work of your hands.
⁶I stretch out my hands to you;
    my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah

⁷Answer me quickly, O Lord!
    My spirit fails!
Hide not your face from me,
    lest I be like those who go down to the pit.
⁸Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love,
    for in you I trust.
Make me know the way I should go,
    for to you I lift up my soul.

⁹Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord!
    I have fled to you for refuge.^[a]
¹⁰Teach me to do your will,
    for you are my God!
Let your good Spirit lead me
    on level ground!

¹¹For your name's sake, O Lord, preserve my life!
    In your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble!
¹²And in your steadfast love you will cut off my enemies,
    and you will destroy all the adversaries of my soul,
    for I am your servant.

As plain old human beings we constantly have struggles. For many of us it is a real struggle just to get out of bed. For others it is a struggle to make it to work every day. Still others struggle with a chronic disease that they can't shake. Still others are dealing with an addiction of one kind or another. The struggle is most certainly real.

While we don't know exactly what David was struggling with in the context of today's Psalm, we can imagine that it had something to do with the enemies that often surrounded him to defeat his armies, or maybe it was one of his own court or even his own sons that were trying to overthrow him. Or it could even be his own guilt that was shaming him and give him the pain and trouble that he is expressing today.

Whatever it is, we can see a good example of how to deal with it. David simply asks God to "Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground." or "Make me know the way I should go." or "Deliver me from my enemies." In essence, David gives it all up to God and lets God deal with it according to His will.

This is exactly how we should deal with things. We should ask the Lord to make us know the way to go. We should ask God to deliver us. We should give it all up to God and let the Holy Spirit move us in the way we should go!

Whatever "real" struggle you are dealing with, deal with it the way that David did! Give it to God, and the peace off God which passes all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus all the way to eternal life!

Prayer: Lord, you know our struggles. Help us to surrender them to you so that you can guide us in the way we should go, deliver us from our enemies, and bring us to you forever. Amen.

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CALENDAR:

Mon- FAMILY NIGHT PICNIC at 6PM (Please RSVP to this email if you are planning on coming.)
Tues- Little Lambs 3 Graduation 6pm; Trustees Meeting 7pm
Wed- Little Lambs 4 Graduation 6pm; Choir practice 7pm
Thurs-  Lutheranism 101 is postponed for the next two Thursdays. It will resume on May 26 at 7pm
Sat- Worship 5pm
Sun- worship 8:30; Kid's Sunday school 9:45; Voter's Meeting 9:45; Worship 11
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WORSHIP WORKERS:
Acolyte- 8:30- John Pezold    11- Jacob Winn

Ushers- Charlie Figura, Jason Figura, Brett Nordwald, Erv Yoder

Altar- Set up- Don Hance; Clean Up- Sandy Robine

Elders-  Sat- Randy Fischer;  8:30- Dave Winter; 11- Jim Rahn

Greeters- 8:30- Allan and Barb Dreyer; 11- Marv and Molly Hendershot

Lay Readers- Sat- Judy Koprowski   8:30- Jennifer Figura; 11- Stephanie Owenby

Organist- Rachel Fisher

Piano- Kathy Barrow

Projectionists: Sat- Kathy Fischer; 8:30- Dawn Sherman   11- Hannah Johnson
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:   What is Psalm 12 about?

Okay, this is EASY!!!!! Psalm 12 is about...... Are you ready? Okay!

Psalm 12 is about...... 8 lines long! Actually, it's exactly 8 lines long! And you heard it here first!

Not the answer you wanted? Of course not! You're never satisfied with the obvious. So..... I looked it up – AGAIN! – and found this little nugget for you:

It is a song of lament, that Jews recite on Shmini Atzeret (http://www.jewfaq.org/holiday6.htm) and at brit milah (the "covenant of circumcision," performed on a baby boy eight days after he is born)

The reformation theologian John Calvin in his commentary of the psalm interprets the passage as referring to the truthfulness of God in contrast to humanity, saying that the elaboration of God's actions in the psalm reflect promises God had made with the Israelites.

And there you have it! Satisfied?

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TODAY'S QUIZ: What words in Psalm 2 are about Jesus?

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NEWS!!!!

FAMILY NIGHT PICNIC TONIGHT UNDER THE PAVILION AT 6PM!!

I will be grilling hamburgers and hotdogs. Bring a dish to share with it!