Daily Email: Wednesday, January 25, 2017

DEVOTION: 1 Corinthians 1:18-31 (ESV)

Christ the Wisdom and Power of God

¹⁸For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. ¹⁹For it is written,

"I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart."

²⁰Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? ²¹For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach^[a]to save those who believe. ²²For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, ²³but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, ²⁴but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. ²⁵For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

²⁶For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards,^[b] not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. ²⁷But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; ²⁸God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, ²⁹so that no human being^[c] might boast in the presence of God. ³⁰And because of him^[d] you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, ³¹so that, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."

I have said it before, and I'll say it again. God uses the least, he smallest, and the weakest to do His will. Consider Moses, a fugitive, a murderer, and open who by his own admission, was unable to speak well. I could go through the whole list. Both Joseph and David were the youngest, and therefore according to tradition, the least in their family. Israel itself was the smallest of nations, but God made it into the greatest.

He can use a shy, yet handsome (hehe), farm boy from Minnesota to bring His Gospel. If he can use me, he can most surely use you! God chooses what is weak to bring the law and gospel to the strong. He chooses what is foolish to bring His Word to those who think they are wise by the world's standards. He chooses you to bring His Gospel to your friends, family, and even your enemies.

Praise the Lord for His real wisdom, His real strength, His real good news!

Prayer: Lord, use me; as weak, foolish, and insignificant as I am, to bring Your good news to the world. Amen.

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CALENDAR

Wed-Worship at Oak Pointe 10am; Choir 7

Thurs- Board of Stewardship meeting 6pm; Lutheranism 101 6:30pm

Fri- Assemble Newsletter

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- Cierra Figura 11- Adddie Hoelscher

Ushers- Alan Hofeldt, Tim Linke, Rich Talbert, Don Turnure

Altar- Set up- Marilyn Foster; Clean up- Lois Boeger

Elders- Sat- Charlie Figura; 8:30- John Hachtel; 11- Dave Winter

Greeters- 8:30- John and Joanne Hachtel; 11- Marv and Molly Hendershot

Lay Readers- Sat- Sandra Perricone; 8:30- Jennifer Figura; 11- Karen Benton

Piano- Molly Hendershot

Organist- Rachel Fisher

Projectionists: Sat- Fischer; 8:30- Schaumberg; 11- Kalene Masters
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ: Name the ten plagues of Egypt.

1. The Nile river was changed to blood 2. frogs 3. lice 4. flies 5. death of livestock 6. boils 7. hail 8. locusts 9.darkness 10. death of firstborn

Thanks Don!

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TODAY'S QUIZ: How was the Passover lamb supposed to be cooked?

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NEWS!!!!

WORK DAY THIS SATURDAY 8am-Noon!!

Come and help change out light fixtures in the Sunday school wing and do some other projects like, clean up, fixing, and maybe even painting.

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NEW MEMBER LUNCHEON AT NOON ON SUNDAY!!
All new members since last year's luncheon are invited!

It would be great to see as many officers and board members there as possible too!

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FILL UP THOSE BABY BOTTLES!!

You have two weeks to get them full of checks, cash, and spare change! Return them to church February 4 or 5!

If you weren't in church this weekend and would like a baby bottle, come by and pick one up this week, or pick one up this weekend when you come to worship!

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LUTHERANISM 101 CONTINUES EVERY THURSDAY AT 6:30pm!!!

It's painless and it's a good time of fellowship!

If I can get just five people to show up, I will bring dessert! (That would be two more than we had last week.)

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STEPHEN MINISTRY IS LOOKING FOR SOME NEW STEPHEN LEADERS

If you love caring for others and consider yourself a leader, this is the perfect way for you to serve the Lord and your church family!

The Stephen Leader training is April 23-29 at the Renaissance Hotel by the airport this year and the cost of the training is covered by the church. If you choose to stay at the hotel you will have to pay for that yourself. It's only a 35 minute commute to the training from Warrenton.

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TRAVELING FELLOWSHIP GROUP IS GOING TO FULTON ON SATURDAY, APRIL 8!

The group will be boarding a charter bus at 7:45am that day, first heading to the Auto World Museum, secondly to The Copper Mine Restaurant for lunch, and finally to the Churchill Museum before heading home. They will arrive home around 5:30 that evening. The cost will be around $65 including lunch, but the more people that go, the cheaper it will be! Call Marilyn at 456-2888 to sign up!

BABY BOTTLE CAMPAIGN FOR OUR NEW PREGNANCY OPTIONS CENTER BEGINS THIS WEEKEND!!

Come to church and pick up a baby bottle. Fill it up with money (coins, cash, and checks are all accepted), and return it to church in two weeks by Feb. 4 or 5. All money raised will go to getting our Pro Life Center going!

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YOUTH STEAK DINNER AND AUCTION WILL BE MARCH 25!!

OUR YOUTH STEAK DINNER AND AUCTION HAS BEEN MOVED BACK A MONTH AND IS TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY, MARCH 25! Also, THANK YOU LETTERS to those church members who donated last year are in your church mailboxes!!

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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 MARIANNE LINKE, who is dealing with severe back pain and issues with her medication. She is at Warrenton Manor.

For PASTOR MICHAEL PIPER, (pastor at St. Paul's, New Melle) who is recovering from a severe stroke.

For Mim Dunn's nephew DAVID HAHN who is dealing with severe throat cancer.

For JOYCE PIETZSCHKE as she recovers from a broken hip at Grandview Healthcare Center in Washington.

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.

Sermon from Sunday, Jan 22, 2017

Watch and Listen to hear some real TRUTH!

https://youtu.be/8qHhHX7IfEU

Sent from Mail for Windows 10

Daily Email: Tuesday, January 24, 2017

DEVOTION: Micah 6:1-8 (ESV)

The Indictment of the Lord

6 Hear what the Lord says:
Arise, plead your case before the mountains,
    and let the hills hear your voice.
²Hear, you mountains, the indictment of the Lord,
    and you enduring foundations of the earth,
for the Lord has an indictment against his people,
    and he will contend with Israel.

³"O my people, what have I done to you?
    How have I wearied you? Answer me!
⁴For I brought you up from the land of Egypt
    and redeemed you from the house of slavery,
and I sent before you Moses,
    Aaron, and Miriam.
⁵O my people, remember what Balak king of Moab devised,
    and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him,
and what happened from Shittim to Gilgal,
    that you may know the righteous acts of the Lord."

What Does the Lord Require?

  6 "With what shall I come before the Lord,
      and bow myself before God   on high?
  Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
      with calves a year old?
  7 Will the Lord be   pleased with[a] thousands   of rams,
      with ten thousands of rivers of oil?
  Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,
      the fruit of my body for the sin of my   soul?"
  8 He has told you, O man, what   is good;
      and what   does the Lord require   of you
  but to do justice, and to love kindness,[b]
      and to walk   humbly with your God?
   
  The rhetorical question at the end of this is the important thing to remember in all of it.  What does the Lord require of you?  Do justice.  Love kindness.  Walk   humbly with your God.  
   
  These three things come as the fruits of faith.  When you have faith in Christ, you will do these things.  When you have faith you will do justice (do what is right).    When you have faith you will love kindness.  You will want to be kind, because you know the kindness and mercy of Christ.  And, knowing that you are a sinner just like everyone else, and having faith in the God who has mercy on you despite that sin, you will   walk humbly before your God.   
   
  The Lord doesn't care about your empty deeds done outside of faith.  He doesn't accept offerings done to gain His favor.  If you trust in God you already have favor   with Him?  Just as a father loves his children no more when they do everything he says as when they don't listen to a word he says. He might not like them very much, and he might be disappointed in them, but he still loves them and he will not forsake them   or disown them.  
   
  So when Micah says these things, he is saying nothing less than this "What does the Lord require of you?  Trust in the Lord!"
   
  Prayer: Lord, help us to trust in You, to have Your mind and will in us, and to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with You.  Amen.  

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CALENDAR

Tues- Quilting 9-2

Wed-Worship at Oak Pointe 10am; Choir 7

Thurs- Board of Stewardship meeting 6pm; Lutheranism 101 6:30pm

Fri- Assemble Newsletter

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- Cierra Figura 11- Adddie Hoelscher

Organist- Rachel Fisher

Projectionists: Sat- Fischer; 8:30- Schaumberg; 11- Kalene Masters
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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:

Who was Potiphar?

An official in Egypt whose wife tried to seduce Joseph and eventually was rejected by Joseph. In her anger she got Joseph in trouble accusing him of attacking her. He was thrown in prison for it.

Thanks Don Nolte!

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TODAY'S QUIZ: Name the ten plagues of Egypt.