Poinsettias left
There are several poinsettias left on the altar from Christmas. If you still want yours let me know asap, otherwise they will be thrown away.
Also, if you have not paid for yours yet, make sure you do so with a check marked "poinsettia" made out to St. John's and either put it in the offering plate or bring it to the office.
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Daily Email: Wednesday, January 4, 2017
Romans 6:1-11English Standard Version (ESV)
Dead to Sin, Alive to God
6 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 We know that our old self[a] was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.7 For one who has died has been set free[b] from sin. 8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. 10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. 11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
For a long time, Lutherans have been criticized for preaching what many call "cheap" grace. They would say that because we preach strictly about being saved by grace through faith on account of what Chris5t did on the cross, and that we de-emphasize works, that somehow we are saying that it is ok to live how we want and do whatever we want.
Evidently this isn't a new criticism. Paul had the same thing leveled against him. So, in order to defend himself and the Gospel itself, he says what he says in the verses above.
Here's the deal folks. When we were baptized God wiped our slate clean. He took our sin away. This probably makes more sense to the person who came to faith later on in life than it does to the person who was baptized as an infant, because the person who came to faith and was baptized later on in life knows more of the earthly consequences of sin and of what it feels like to live apart from the grace of God. At the same time, if we are truly in Christ it will make sense to us too.
When one is a true Christian he feels the real weight of the guilt of sin. He has seen how the sin in his heart and life has destroyed himself and those around him. He sees that sin only leads to death and destruction. So the very act of coming to faith and the very acts of confession and repentance are the turning away from those evil things.
So Paul asks the very simple question: if we have turned away from those things and know their ability to steal or joy, to kill, and to destroy lives why would we want to go back to those things?
The new year is the perfect time to make a fresh start, to break away from those things that cause you trouble and pain, and to turn to Jesus and ask for his help daily to do the right thing. I urge you to take full advantage of this new year and that you make a fresh start, not just once this year, but daily. Turn from those bad habits and those things that are tearing you away from the grace, mercy, and peace of God and turn to the God of peace; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who will make all things new in you. Rest in His grace and "walk in newness of life"!
Prayer: Holy Spirit, by your power turn me away from the sin that so easily entangles and entraps me and turn me to you so that I may "walk in newness of life" daily with You. Amen.
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CALENDAR
Wed- Choir 7pm
Thurs- Alzheimers support group 1pm; Lutheranism 101 6:30-7:30pm; Karate 5:15-7:30
Sat- Worship 5pm
Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school and Adult Bible class 9:45; Take down decorations noon
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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS COMING WEEKEND:
Acolyte- 8:30- Dawn Sherman; 11- Luke Rausch
Ushers- Dave Callies, Marv Hendershot, Don Luebke, Don Nolte
Altar- Set up- Marilyn Foster; Clean Up- Wanda Turnure
Elders- Sat- Steve Robine; 8:30- Jason CLuver; 11- Randy Sweet
Greeters- 8:30- Dave and Linda Callies; 11- Randy and Patty Sweet
Lay Readers- Sat- Steve Robine; 8:30- Derek Ebert; 11- Randy Sweet
Piano- Barb Dreyer