Daily Email: Tuesday, January 10, 2017

DEVOTION: Isaiah 49:1-7 New International Version (NIV)

The Servant of the Lord

49 Listen to me, you islands;
    hear this, you distant nations:
Before I was born the Lord called me;
    from my mother's womb he has spoken my name.
²He made my mouth like a sharpened sword,
    in the shadow of his hand he hid me;
he made me into a polished arrow
    and concealed me in his quiver.
³He said to me, "You are my servant,
    Israel, in whom I will display my splendor."
⁴But I said, "I have labored in vain;
    I have spent my strength for nothing at all.
Yet what is due me is in the Lord's hand,
    and my reward is with my God."

⁵And now the Lord says—
    he who formed me in the womb to be his servant
to bring Jacob back to him
    and gather Israel to himself,
for I am^[a] honored in the eyes of the Lord
    and my God has been my strength—
⁶he says:
"It is too small a thing for you to be my servant
    to restore the tribes of Jacob
    and bring back those of Israel I have kept.
I will also make you a light for the Gentiles,
    that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth."

  7 This is what the Lord says—
      the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel—
  to him who was despised and abhorred by the nation,
      to the servant of rulers:
  "Kings will see you and stand up,
      princes will see and bow down,
  because of the Lord, who is faithful,
      the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you."
   
  Here's a little quiz question for this morning… who is the speaker in this passage?  Hint: It's not Isaiah.  Read it again and see if you can figure it out if you   haven't already.  
   
  The speaker in these verses is the Righteous Servant.  He is the Light to the Gentiles.  Kings will see him and stand up from their thrones in honor.  Princes will   bow down.  
   
  Did you figure it out yet?  It's JESUS!  Isaiah speaks of Jesus throughout His book,  but in this passage Jesus himself speaks, although in a veiled way.  It is exciting   isn't it?  It's exciting to know that Jesus speaks in the Old Testament?
   
  Jesus is eternal!  He's been around forever!  He didn't just begin to exist when he was born to Mary at Christmas.  He is the Son of God begotten from eternity.    Try to wrap your mind around that for a second.  He was there when the world was created.  He was there when the flood happened.  He was there for every moment of what we know as time and he will be here long after we are gone.   
   
  So the next time you begin to question God, or you begin to think of yourself as Mr. Knowitall, remember that the Servant of the Lord, Jesus, is much greater than   you could ever imagine.  He is the one who makes all things new, and he will make you new if you just let him, just rest in him.   
   

Prayer: Lord, You spoke in many times and various ways through the prophets, but now you speak to us through Your Son. Open our eyes Lord, we want to see Jesus! Open our ears, Lord, and help us to listen. Amen.

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CALENDAR

Tues- Quilting 9-2; Trustees 7

Wed- Board of outreach 8am; Choir 7

Thurs- Lutheranism 101 6:30pm

Sat- Worship 5pm
Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school and Adult Bible class 9:45

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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS COMING WEEKEND:
Acolyte- 8:30- Abby Vossen; 11- Dulci Rahn

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

Altar- Set up- Marilyn Foster; Clean Up- Terry McKenzie

Elders- Sat- Dave Winter; 8:30- John Hachtel; 11- Randy Fischer

Greeters- 8:30- Barb and Allan Dreyer; 11- Joan Sexton

Lay Readers- Sat- Marcia Sevier; 8:30- John Hachtel; 11- Stephanie Owenby

Piano- Kathy Barrow

Organist- Rachel Fisher

Projectionists: Sat- Toni Mauch; 8:30- Terry McKenzie; 11- Dawn Sherman
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:

What animal did God get caught in the bushes to provide a sacrifice for himself in place of Isaac? A ram

Thanks Don Nolte!

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TODAY'S QUIZ: Who was Isaac's wife?

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NEWS!!!!

LUTHERANISM 101 RESUMES THIS THURSDAY AT 6:30pm!!!

This is for everyone whether you are a lifelong Lutheran, have only been one for a very short time, or are looking to become one! Did you make a resolution to learn more about God and your faith this year? This is a perfect time and place to do it! Come and join us!! It is a good time of conversation and getting to know your brothers and sisters in Christ too!

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HOPE FULL LIVING SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE DUE

Pastor Klaustermeier is a regular contributor to this devotional book for seniors. Call Marilyn 456-2888 to get or renew your subscription. It's only $7 for a year subscription!

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OFFERING ENVELOPES ARE IN YOUR CHURCH MAILBOXES IF YOU HAVEN'T PICKED THEM UP YET!!

Maybe you didn't know that you had them, but if you are a confirmed member of St. John's you have your own church mailbox and your own offering envelopes! Check your mailbox today!!

BLUE ENVELOPES IN YOUR OFFERING ENVELOPE BOXES ARE FOR THE BUILDING FUND!!!

Please note that your blue envelopes are for our BUILDING FUND. Please use them appropriately! Let's get this building built!!

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OPERATION BACKPACK ITEMS COLLECTED FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY ARE CANNED FRUIT AND VEGETABLES!

Any size can, and any kind of fruit or vegetable is appreciated. Place them in the receptacle marked "Backpack Blessings" in the narthex.

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AGAPE DONATIONS ALWAYS ACCEPTED!!

Any nonperishable food items, diapers, toiletries, etc.!!

Perishable food items can be taken directly to Agape at 713 Powell St. in Warrenton. Call 456-4645 to find out when they're open or for more info.

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YOUR KROGER CARD CAN EARN MONEY FOR LITTLE LAMBS

Go to www.kroger.com/communityawards and register your card today!!

__________________________________________________________________________________________GENERAL PRAYER

For ELISE MORRIS'S MOM who is recovering from hip surgery.

For JOYCE PIETZSCHKE as she recovers from a broken hip and hip surgery.

For DON NOLTE as he recovers from rotator cuff surgery to his shoulder.

For MIKE PUCKETT who is at home with his mom and recovering well from lung surgery.

For BARB PERRICONE who is back home on hospice care.

For LOIS BOEGER'S MOM, who has been on hospice care for the last few months and slows down a little more every day, but is doing well.

Daily Email: Monday, January 9, 2017

DEVOTION: Psalm 40:1-11 English Standard Version (ESV)

My Help and My Deliverer

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

40 I waited patiently for the Lord;
    he inclined to me and heard my cry.
²He drew me up from the pit of destruction,
    out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
    making my steps secure.
³He put a new song in my mouth,
    a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,
    and put their trust in the Lord.

⁴Blessed is the man who makes
    the Lord his trust,
who does not turn to the proud,
    to those who go astray after a lie!
⁵You have multiplied, O Lord my God,
    your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us;
    none can compare with you!
I will proclaim and tell of them,
    yet they are more than can be told.

⁶In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted,
    but you have given me an open ear.^[a]
Burnt offering and sin offering
    you have not required.
⁷Then I said, "Behold, I have come;
    in the scroll of the book it is written of me:
⁸I delight to do your will, O my God;
    your law is within my heart."

⁹I have told the glad news of deliverance^[b]
    in the great congregation;
behold, I have not restrained my lips,
    as you know, O Lord.
¹⁰I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart;
    I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;
I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness
    from the great congregation.

  11 As for you, O Lord,   you will not restrain
      your mercy from me;
  your steadfast love and your faithfulness will
      ever preserve me!
   
  Sometimes it's hard to wait.  I hate waiting the minute it takes for the oatmeal to get done in the microwave in the morning.  I can't stand waiting in line. I will   go all the way around the traffic even though it will take as much time as if I would sit in the traffic and wait.   
   
  It is also very hard for me to wait on the Lord.  I want to force things.  I want to make things happen.  I don't have time for waiting.  I don't have time for being   patient with the Lord.  I want it, whatever it is, now!
   
  The trouble with that is that the Lord's timing is always better.  His ways are always right.  I will never turn one soul to Christ.  It is the Lord God, the Holy   Spirit, that does that.  So if I try to force things, I will only feel frustration and failure.  If I do what the Lord has called me to do; pray, love, and forgive, He will do miraculous things through me.   
   
  I also know that when I give it up to the Lord and simply wait on him, he will incline to me, lift me up out of the mire, and set my feet upon a rock.  He will take   my bad circumstance and work it out for my good.  He will make an example and a witness out of me.   
   
  You probably got off to a good start in 2017.  You are eating right.  You are exercising.  You are getting more organized.  But now, maybe you aren't experiencing   the results you want.  You may even be tired of it already.  Or maybe you've already failed and your figuring what's the use.   
   
  Whatever your circumstance, I urge you to wait patiently for the Lord so that He can lift you up and renew your strength, so that he can give you the blessings he   wants to give you, so that you can rest in him, and so that you can live in newness of life.   
   
  Prayer: Lord, when I don't want to wait, give me the patience and peace I need to do so, so that you can bless me and give me hope and a future.  Amen.  

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CALENDAR

Mon- Confirmation 5:15-6:30; 6-12 grade Youth planning meeting 6:30

Tues- Quilting 9-2; Trustees 7

Wed- Choir 7

Thurs- Lutheranism 101 6:30pm

Sat- Worship 5pm
Sun- Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school and Adult Bible class 9:45

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WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS COMING WEEKEND:
Acolyte- 8:30- Abby Vossen; 11- Dulci Rahn

Organist- Rachel Fisher

Projectionists: Sat- Toni Mauch; 8:30- Terry McKenzie; 11- Dawn Sherman
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:

What lie did Abram tell the Egyptians to keep them from killing him to take Sarai from him?

That she was his sister.

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TODAY'S QUIZ:

What animal did God get caught in the bushes to provide a sacrifice for himself in place of Isaac?

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NEWS!!!!

6^th-12th GRADE YOUTH MEETING TONIGHT AT 6:30PM!!

All 6^th-12^th graders and their parents are required to attend! A lot of decisions need to be made and future events planned. BE THERE!!

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LUTHERANISM 101 RESUMES THIS THURSDAY AT 6:30pm!!!

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TRAVELING FELLOWSHIP GROUP IS LOOKING FOR YOUR SUGGESTIONS FOR THE NEXT TRIP

There is a sheet on the table in the narthex for you to make your suggestions or you can just call Marilyn at 456-2888 and she would be happy to take down your suggestions.