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13 years ago
FW: News from your Servants, the Rabe family, in Ethiopia
Daily Email: Thursday, August 3, 2017
DEVOTION: Matthew 14:13-21English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand
13 Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. 15 Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves." 16 But Jesus said, "They need not go away; you give them something to eat." 17 They said to him, "We have only five loaves here and two fish." 18 And he said, "Bring them here to me." 19 Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 20 And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. 21 And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children
I'm sure you've read or heard this story before. It's one that is known by many both in and outside the church. Jesus turned two fish and five loaves of bread into enough food to feed 5,000 people. I am going to simply list the things that we learn from this story as shortly and succinctly as I can.
- It wasn't because the people were hungry that Jesus did the miracle. They could've easily gone into town or home to eat. There was plenty of food around. He did it for a different reason than just to fill the people's bellies.
- He did it to show his power. He had been proclaiming that he was the Son of God and the Messiah, but the people weren't just going to go on word alone. They needed to see it. So Jesus showed them by showing his power over creation. He has the ability to make things that are out of things that are not. He has power over every chemical and physical structure known to man to the point that he can multiply and divide it at will.
- The Lord can and does take care of every need, at the same time, there will come a day when all you really want and need is to go to heaven to be with Him forever. The stomachs of the people were empty a few hours after they ate. They would need to eat again. And as far as we know, none of them would live forever as human beings here on earth. Yet, they would be completely and continually filled with Jesus if they would believe and trust in Him .
- Whenever you have doubts about God's power to supply your needs, whether physical or spiritual, remember this miracle.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for every day, abundantly answering my prayer, "Give us this day our daily bread." Amen.
____________________________________________________________
CALENDAR:
Thurs- Alzheimer's Support Group 1pm; Red Cross Blood Drive 3-7; Karate 6:15-7:45
Sat- Painting the Fence at Turning Point 9-Noon; Worship 5pm
Sun Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school and Bible Class 9:45
Sat-
WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS WEEK:
Acolyte- 8:30- Savannah Masters; 11- Lydia Miller
Ushers- Dave Callies, Marv Hendershot, Don Luebke, Don Nolte
Altar- Set up- Marilyn Foster; Clean Up- Terry McKenzie
Elders- Sat- Steve Robine; Sun 8:30- John Hachtel; 11- Charlie Figura
Greeters- 8:30- Rich and Peggy Talbert; 11- Mike and Naomi Johnson
Lay Reader- Sat- Judy Koprowski; Sun, 8:30- Jim Rahn 11- Dawn Sherman
Organist- Barb Dreyer
Pianists- Sat- Molly Hendershot Sun, 11- Molly Hendershot
Projectionist: Sat- Fischer 8:30- Schaumberg 11- Masters
TELLERS: Team #1 this coming Sunday. (This is a change from what is on the calendar.)
________________________________________________________________
YESTERDAY'S QUIZ :
What happened when Hilkiah found the law of the Lord (the Bible) and brought it to the king?
This story is covered in 2 Chronicles 34.
After he found it, he handed it over to the court secretary, Shaphan, who in turn, took it to the king. He then read the scroll to King Josiah, who, upon hearing it, "tore his robes." (They liked ripping their clothes apart back then). The king then sent Shaphan off to find some prophets, to see what they should do – since he realized, that by not following God's word, they had probably royally ticked the Big G in the sky off. So they found a lady, who told them God planned on bringing all kinds of disasters upon them for their wicked behavior. But because the new king had been sincerely repentant, God showed him mercy, and said he would spare him from what was to come. The king, then took the scroll and read it before the people, and vowed to walk in God's word. He then tore down the altars to foreign gods, and for as long as he lived, followed God's teachings.
And that's a fact.
Thanks Pat!
_______________________________________________________________________
TODAY'S QUIZ: How did King Josiah die in battle?
________________________________________________________________
NEWS!!!!
RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE TODAY, AUGUST 3, 4-7pm!!!
Volunteers are needed to set up and take down before and after and during the drive to sign people in when they come. Call Terry at 456-2888 to sign up! You can make an appointment to donate at redcross.org. Walk ins are always welcome too.
______________________________________________________________________
OUR NEXT FIFTH SUNDAY CELEBRATION WILL BE ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 29… REFORMATION SUNDAY!! TO CELEBRATE THE 500TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BEGINNING OF THE REFORMATION AND THE POSTING OF THE 95 THESES BY MARTIN LUTHER ON THE CASTLE CHURCH DOOR IN WITTENBERG, GERMANY!!
It is going to be a blowout celebration! Mark your calendars today to make sure you are there to enjoy the celebration!
____________________________________________________________________________
TRAVELING FELLOWSHIP GROUP TRIP COMING UP!!! GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY!
The next trip will be to Westport Playhouse on Sunday, Sept 17 for "Church Basement Ladies" a comedy take off on the Lutheran ladies in the kitchen. Men would enjoy also. We would leave at 12:30 p.m. from church and return apx 6:45 p.m. Getting tickets at 1/2 price each ticket $25 plus bus cost & dinner. They are holding 47 tickets for me this week. Call MARILYN FOSTER AT 636-359-0535 or email her at mkfoster@centurytel.net to reserve your tickets!
OPERATION BACKPACK ITEMS COLLECTED FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST IS SOUP AND RAMEN NOODLES. Please bring items up to church and put them in the tub marked "Backpack Blessings".
GENERAL PRAYERS:
For PAT KING'S NEPHEW who has been sent home with a halter monitor.
For GEORGE HOELSCHER as he found out that he has lymphoma last Monday. He will begin intensive therapy soon.
For LOIS FRICK as she has been moved to St. Joseph Hospital in Lake St. Louis for rehab.
For LIL WINTER as she recovers from diverticulitis and a liver infection.
For CAL TAMELER as he awaits much needed surgery on his legs. Surgery is scheduled for August 8.
_________________________________________________________________________
PRAYERS FOR OUR MILITARY PERSONNEL:
For SAM HARGROVE deployed in Amman, Jordan and DAN DREYER deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan, that the Lord would keep them safe from harm during their service and bring them home safely.
For DAVID TATE stationed in Japan, COLTON FIGURA stationed in California, and ALEX WALTERS, stationed in Tennessee. That God would bless their service to our country and keep them safe as they all await possible deployment.
For CALEB FIGURA AND VINCE MASTERS who are both serving our country in the National Guard and take time out of their lives, jobs, and families to go on duty several times a year.
2017 T3 Men's Retreat Invite
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Daily Email: Wednesday, August 2, 2017
DEVOTION: Romans 9:1-13English Standard Version (ESV)
God's Sovereign Choice
9 I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— 2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers,[a] my kinsmen according to the flesh. 4 They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. 5 To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.
6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, 7 and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but "Through Isaac shall your offspring be named." 8 This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring. 9 For this is what the promise said: "About this time next year I will return, and Sarah shall have a son." 10 And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, 11 though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls—12 she was told, "The older will serve the younger." 13 As it is written, "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated."
Those who don't know the history of the Israelite people probably wouldn't understand most of this passage. You see the Israelites were the "chosen people". They were chosen by God in all of the ways that Paul lists here in this passage. You might say that they were privileged in many ways. They had everything going for them. Jesus even came from the nation. They were it.
The problem is that they began to act like it. Instead of trusting in God, who chose them and gave them all the privileges that come with being chosen, they began to trust in those privileges. They began to think that just because they were Israelites they were saved, that just because they had it all, everything was going to be ok.
So they began to neglect worship. They began to rely on their own abilities and knowledge to get them through life. They forgot all about God and his blessings toward them. Soon they were morally bankrupt and wandering around life like sheep without a shepherd. They didn't even recognize or acknowledge the Messiah when he came.
Paul was that same way. He was a hater of Christians. He was just like them, but then Jesus came to him directly on the road to Emmaus. He changed Paul into the Christian we still read about today.
After Paul became a Christian, he went back to all of his people, his friends and family, near and far, and tried and tried to get them to see what he saw. He longed for them to know Jesus like he did. He saw how they were lost and dead without Him. In our passage he says that he wishes he could take their place and that he could be condemned on their behalf so that they would believe and be saved. As a pastor, I know that feeling all too well as I have seen many a wonderful Christian neglect the Lord and fall away from the church and even from faith.
Where are you on your walk? Are you just struggling to make it? Are you trusting in who you are instead of who God is? Are you neglecting worship and the Word of God, or are you in worship regularly where you can hear his Word and receive His body and blood in the Sacrament? If you are one of the ones slipping away, please know that my heart, and even more, God's heart, yearns for you to be with Him and to stay close to Him. We are praying for you! Come and see and hear what the Lord has done and is dong for you!
Prayer: Lord, thank you for never giving up on us, and for yearning for us with your whole heart. Amen.
____________________________________________________________
CALENDAR:
Wed- Painting the fence at Turning Point 4-7
Thurs- Alzheimer's Support Group 1pm; Red Cross Blood Drive 3-7; Karate 6:15-7:45
Sat- Painting the Fence at Turning Point 9-Noon; Worship 5pm
Sun Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school and Bible Class 9:45
Sat-
________________________________________________________________WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS WEEK:
Acolyte- 8:30- Savannah Masters; 11- Lydia Miller
Ushers- Dave Callies, Marv Hendershot, Don Luebke, Don Nolte
Altar- Set up- Marilyn Foster; Clean Up- Terry McKenzie
Elders- Sat- Steve Robine; Sun 8:30- John Hachtel; 11- Charlie Figura
Greeters- 8:30- Rich and Peggy Talbert; 11- Mike and Naomi Johnson
Lay Reader- Sat- Judy Koprowski; Sun, 8:30- Jim Rahn 11- Dawn Sherman
Organist- Barb Dreyer
Pianists- Sat- Molly Hendershot Sun, 11- Molly Hendershot
Projectionist: Sat- Fischer 8:30- Schaumberg 11- Masters
TELLERS: Team #1 this coming Sunday. (This is a change from what is on the calendar.)
________________________________________________________________
YESTERDAY'S QUIZ :
What was Topheth? It is in the valley of the sons of Hinnom where the people of Judah worshiped the idol Molech and burned their sons and daughters as sacrifices to him. 2 Kings 23:10.
______________________________________________________
TODAY'S QUIZ: What happened when Hilkiah found the law of the Lord (the Bible) and brought it to the king?
_______________________________________________________________________
NEWS!!!!
HEY EVERYONE~~~ PAINITNG THE FENCE AT TURNING POINT WEDNESDAY 4-7pm and SATURDAY, 9-NOON
I'll provide supper for everyone who shows up on Wednesday and lunch for everyone who shows up on Saturday. All you need to bring is yourself! Please reply to let me know if you are coming and when! If you have two hands and two arms, you can do this!
___________________________________________________________________
RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE THIS THURSDAY, AUGUST 3, 4-7pm!!!
Volunteers are needed to set up and take down before and after and during the drive to sign people in when they come. Call Terry at 456-2888 to sign up! You can make an appointment to donate at redcross.org. Walk ins are always welcome too.
______________________________________________________________________
OUR NEXT FIFTH SUNDAY CELEBRATION WILL BE ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 29… REFORMATION SUNDAY!! TO CELEBRATE THE 500TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BEGINNING OF THE REFORMATION AND THE POSTING OF THE 95 THESES BY MARTIN LUTHER ON THE CASTLE CHURCH DOOR IN WITTENBERG, GERMANY!!
It is going to be a blowout celebration! Mark your calendars today to make sure you are there to enjoy the celebration!
____________________________________________________________________________
TRAVELING FELLOWSHIP GROUP TRIP COMING UP!!! GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY!
The next trip will be to Westport Playhouse on Sunday, Sept 17 for "Church Basement Ladies" a comedy take off on the Lutheran ladies in the kitchen. Men would enjoy also. We would leave at 12:30 p.m. from church and return apx 6:45 p.m. Getting tickets at 1/2 price each ticket $25 plus bus cost & dinner. They are holding 47 tickets for me this week. Call MARILYN FOSTER AT 636-359-0535 or email her at mkfoster@centurytel.net to reserve your tickets!
OPERATION BACKPACK ITEMS COLLECTED FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST IS SOUP AND RAMEN NOODLES. Please bring items up to church and put them in the tub marked "Backpack Blessings".
GENERAL PRAYERS:
For PAT KING'S NEPHEW, as he will be receiving a pacemaker today.
For GEORGE HOELSCHER as he found out that he has lymphoma last Monday. He will begin intensive therapy soon.
For LOIS FRICK as she has been moved to St. Joseph Hospital in Lake St. Louis for rehab.
For LIL WINTER as she recovers from diverticulitis and a liver infection.
For CAL TAMELER as he awaits much needed surgery on his legs. Surgery is scheduled for August 8.
_________________________________________________________________________
PRAYERS FOR OUR MILITARY PERSONNEL:
For SAM HARGROVE deployed in Amman, Jordan and DAN DREYER deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan, that the Lord would keep them safe from harm during their service and bring them home safely.
For DAVID TATE stationed in Japan, COLTON FIGURA stationed in California, and ALEX WALTERS, stationed in Tennessee. That God would bless their service to our country and keep them safe as they all await possible deployment.
For CALEB FIGURA AND VINCE MASTERS who are both serving our country in the National Guard and take time out of their lives, jobs, and families to go on duty several times a year.
Daily Email #2: Tuesday, August 1, 2017
DEVOTION: Isaiah 55:1-5 English Standard Version (ESV)
The Compassion of the Lord
55 "Come, everyone who thirsts,
come to the waters;
and he who has no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without price.
2 Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,
and your labor for that which does not satisfy?
Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good,
and delight yourselves in rich food.
3 Incline your ear, and come to me;
hear, that your soul may live;
and I will make with you an everlasting covenant,
my steadfast, sure love for David.
4 Behold, I made him a witness to the peoples,
a leader and commander for the peoples.
5 Behold, you shall call a nation that you do not know,
and a nation that did not know you shall run to you,
because of the Lord your God, and of the Holy One of Israel,
for he has glorified you.
In Matthew 11:28, Jesus says the same thing that God, through Isaiah, says in these verses. Jesus says, "Come to me all you who labor and are burdened and I will give you rest."
The devil would have us believe the lie that everything else will bring peace and rest, and so many people, even Christians, believe it. Even pastors believe the lie sometimes. We think that entertainment, or toys, or alcohol, or money, or drugs, or moving up the ladder of success, or whatever is going to provide rest. Yet, even the person with the most money is still searching and working for more.
When you go to Jesus you get the epitome of everything. You get enough. There's no need to search or work for "more" , because Jesus is all in all. He is the alpha and omega. He is the first and the last. He is, was, and is to come!
As a pastor, my heart breaks when people begin to drift away from the Lord. It doesn't happen all at once. It happens over months of neglecting the Word of God. It comes over years of excuses as to why a person hasn't been around or hasn't had devotions, or opened a Bible. My heart breaks, but even more, God's heart breaks. ALL HE WANTS IS FOR YOU TO COME TO HIM, TO EAT AND DRINK OF HIM, AND TO REST IN HIM!!
Prayer: Direct my heart to come to you, Lord Jesus, that I may find real rest. Amen.
____________________________________________________________
CALENDAR:
Tues- Quilting 9-2
Wed- Painting the fence at Turning Point 4-7
Thurs- Alzheimer's Support Group 1pm; Red Cross Blood Drive 3-7; Karate 6:15-7:45
Sat- Painting the Fence at Turning Point 9-Noon; Worship 5pm
Sun Worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school and Bible Class 9:45
Sat-
________________________________________________________________WORSHIP WORKERS FOR THIS WEEK:
Acolyte- 8:30- Savannah Masters; 11- Lydia Miller
Ushers- Dave Callies, Marv Hendershot, Don Luebke, Don Nolte
Altar- Set up- Marilyn Foster; Clean Up- Terry McKenzie
Elders- Sat- Steve Robine; Sun 8:30- John Hachtel; 11- Charlie Figura
Greeters- 8:30- Rich and Peggy Talbert; 11- Mike and Naomi Johnson
Lay Reader- Sat- Judy Koprowski; Sun, 8:30- Jim Rahn 11- Dawn Sherman
Organist- Barb Dreyer
Pianists- Sat- Molly Hendershot Sun, 11- Molly Hendershot
Projectionist: Sat- Fischer 8:30- Schaumberg 11- Masters
TELLERS: Team #1 this coming Sunday. (This is a change from what is on the calendar.)
________________________________________________________________
YESTERDAY'S QUIZ : Was Jeremiah able to get married and have kids?
From Don Nolte: The Lord got word to Jeremiah in Jeremiah 16:2 not to marry or have children. In verses following he told Jeremiah the children born in that region would all die either of disease, famine or be slaughtered. Their bodies would not be buried and birds would eat them.
From Doug Herzog: Jeremiah was forbidden to marry and have children.
His prayer of confidence
Lord, you are my strength and fortress,
my refuge in the day of trouble!
Nations from around the world
will come to you and say,
"Our ancestors left us a foolish heritage,
for they worshiped worthless idols.
Can people make their own gods?
These are not real gods at all!"
_____________________________________________________
TODAY'S QUIZ: Who was Topheth?
______________________________________________________
NEWS!!!!
OUR NEXT FIFTH SUNDAY CELEBRATION WILL BE ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 29… REFORMATION SUNDAY!! TO CELEBRATE THE 500TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BEGINNING OF THE REFORMATION AND THE POSTING OF THE 95 THESES BY MARTIN LUTHER ON THE CASTLE CHURCH DOOR IN WITTENBERG, GERMANY!!
It is going to be a blowout celebration! Mark your calendars today to make sure you are there to enjoy the celebration!
____________________________________________________________________________
HEY EVERYONE~~~ PAINITNG THE FENCE AT TURNING POINT WEDNESDAY 4-7pm and SATURDAY, 9-NOON
I'll provide supper for everyone who shows up on Wednesday and lunch for everyone who shows up on Saturday. All you need to bring is yourself! Please reply to let me know if you are coming and when! If you have two hands and two arms, you can do this!
___________________________________________________________________
RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE THIS THURSDAY, AUGUST 3, 4-7pm!!!
Volunteers are needed to set up and take down before and after and during the drive to sign people in when they come. Call Terry at 456-2888 to sign up! You can make an appointment to donate at redcross.org. Walk ins are always welcome too.
______________________________________________________________________
TRAVELING FELLOWSHIP GROUP TRIP COMING UP!!! GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY!
The next trip will be to Westport Playhouse on Sunday, Sept 17 for "Church Basement Ladies" a comedy take off on the Lutheran ladies in the kitchen. Men would enjoy also. We would leave at 12:30 p.m. from church and return apx 6:45 p.m. Getting tickets at 1/2 price each ticket $25 plus bus cost & dinner. They are holding 47 tickets for me this week. Call MARILYN FOSTER AT 636-359-0535 or email her at mkfoster@centurytel.net to reserve your tickets!
OPERATION BACKPACK ITEMS COLLECTED FOR THE MONTH OF JULY IS INDIVIDUALLY WRAPPED SNACKS AND PACKETS OF OATMEAL !
GENERAL PRAYERS:
For PAT KING'S NEPHEW, as he will be receiving a pacemaker today.
For GEORGE HOELSCHER as he found out that he has lymphoma last Monday. He will begin intensive therapy soon.
For LOIS FRICK as she has been moved to St. Joseph Hospital in Lake St. Louis for rehab.
For LIL WINTER as she recovers from diverticulitis and a liver infection.
For CAL TAMELER as he awaits much needed surgery on his legs. Surgery is scheduled for August 8.
_________________________________________________________________________
PRAYERS FOR OUR MILITARY PERSONNEL:
For SAM HARGROVE deployed in Amman, Jordan and DAN DREYER deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan, that the Lord would keep them safe from harm during their service and bring them home safely.
For DAVID TATE stationed in Japan, COLTON FIGURA stationed in California, and ALEX WALTERS, stationed in Tennessee. That God would bless their service to our country and keep them safe as they all await possible deployment.
For CALEB FIGURA AND VINCE MASTERS who are both serving our country in the National Guard and take time out of their lives, jobs, and families to go on duty several times a year.
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