Daily Email: Thursday, February 1, 2018

DEVOTION: Mark 1:29-39 English Standard Version (ESV)

Jesus Heals Many

²⁹And immediately he^[a] left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. ³⁰Now Simon's mother-in-law lay ill with a fever, and immediately they told him about her. ³¹And he came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and the fever left her, and she began to serve them.

³²That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. ³³And the whole city was gathered together at the door. ³⁴And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.

Jesus Preaches in Galilee

³⁵And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. ³⁶And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, ³⁷and they found him and said to him, "Everyone is looking for you." ³⁸And he said to them, "Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out." ³⁹And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.

A few things stick out to me about this passage this morning:

Peter had a mother in law- We usually don't think about the disciples having families and all of the other regular things that people do. He probably had kids too, although the Scriptures never mention them. They were all regular folks, like you and me, that Jesus called to follow him.

The whole city was gathered together at the door- Can you imagine the pressure, the chaos, the stress? All of these people had no real doctor. There was no penicillin. There was no Advil or Tylenol. There wasn't even good anesthesia. All of these people were in pain and had loved ones with them that were clamoring ffor Jesus to heal them. Jesus was still fully human, and although he was a perfect one as well as God, didn't use his divinity as much as he could have while here on earth. He was plain exhausted.

He didn't permit the demons to speak- In this case, not all press is good press. Demons telling the world who Jesus is would discredit Jesus. Yet, if he has power to keep them from speaking it proves that he is who he says he is.

He went out by himself and prayed- Remember, he was exhausted, he could've slept in. yet, he knew better than anyone else where true rest comes from. It comes from his Father. It comes from spending time with God. You can sleep all day and night and still not be rested, or you can go to God, lay all your cares on him, take his yoke upon you, and get REAL rest. It's your choice. Stay away from church, from the fellowship of the saints, from his Word and Sacraments and seek "rest" elsewhere, or come to church, participate in the fellowship of the saints, and receive real rest.

The real reason he came was not to cast out every demon and heal every illness. Demons still exist today and just as many people sick and die every day. He came to preach, to proclaim the good news! He came to proclaim that he, the kingdom of God, had come, and that he would soon, suffer, die and rise again for all off them. He came to proclaim victory over sin, death, the devil, and hell! He came that we may have life and have it to the full!

Just my notes and thoughts for today. You take them and share them as you wish. Peace be with you all!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for all your benefits, for healing, for faith, for rest, and for salvation. Help me appreciate them more each day. Amen.

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CALENDAR:

Thurs- Alzheimer's Support 1pm; karate 6:15-7:15; Confirmation make up 6:30

Sat- worship 5pm

Sun- worship 8:30 and 11; Sunday school and adult Bible class 9:45

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WORSHIP WORKERS:

Acolyte- 8:30- Nick Schulze; 11- Cameron Faerber

Ushers- Sat- Bob Linke; Sun- Alan Hofeldt, Tim Linke, Gary Hoelscher, Ben Hoelscher, 11- Dave Winter

Altar- Set up- Doug and Ruth Walters; Clean Up- Pam Linke

Communion assistant- Sat- Randy Fischer; 8:30- Jason Cluver, 11- Dave Winter

Greeters- 8:30- Jim and Vickie McRae; 11- Marv and Molly Hendershot

Projectionists- Sat- Fischer; 8:30- McKenzie; 11- Addie Hoelscher

Lay Readers- Sat- Marcia Sevier; 8:30- Tim Linke 11- Luke Rausch

Organist- Barb Dreyer

Pianists- Sunday at 11- Doug Walters

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YESTERDAY'S QUIZ:

Who was Aaron and what great sin did he commit?

From Pat King: (Because she likes to ramble on and on and on.) This is EASY!!!!!!

So, Aaron was the older brother of Moses – by 3 years. So, I guess the Egyptians weren't killing all the Israeli boys when he was born, or else he'd have been the one in the reed basket. Anyway, he stood by Moses' side when he went before the Pharaoh, because – if you remember – Moses came up with that lame excuse about being just a child and unable to speak the proper words.

So his biggest sin was making the golden calf and worshiping it – thus breaking God's #1 commandment – Thou shalt have no other gods before Me. He also broke the one about coveting – since he was jealous of his brother's standing with God. He later was in on the mess that prevented Moses from entering the Promise Land – because again, he and Moses and Miriam thought they had to "improve" on God's instructions. (He shared the same fate as Moses, and died up on a mountain, overlooking the land he was forbidden to enter). But God was pretty lenient with him. Instead of zapping him with lightning, or letting the ground swallow him whole, for his various sins, God appointed him as his first High Priest – a position Aaron held until his death. And He made Aaron's descendants – the house of Levi – the priestly class of Israel.

From Don Nolte: (because he likes to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.) and Aaron was the Son Jochebed and was the elder brother of Moses. In a weak moment he yielded to idolatry among his people.

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TODAY'S QUIZ: When was the one time when there were too many offerings brought to the house of the Lord?

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NEWS:

RETIREMENT SEMINARS AVAILABLE. WHO IS INTERESTED?

Denny Hagan from eldercare associates would like to know how many people would be interested in attending one or more of the following seminars if he were to come out to St. John's to do them.

Identity theft. With tax season coming, this is a serious concern to not only seniors, but to everybody that has a Social Security Number. As a matter of fact, the most profitable Information on the net, is for children. It takes much longer to catch the issue, due to lack of use of the children's numbers.

Changes in how Medicare Part B, is billed to Seniors, It is more important than ever that one takes the time to plan their retirement. Medicare part B is billed based on one's income, and to make it even more confusing, it is based on your income of 2 years ago. Now, before we start scaring anybody, If they are already receiving benefits, this new rule, will not apply. All of these rules, are changes in Social Security.

Understanding Social Security: how to get all that is coming to you and making the most of it.

If anyone is interested in any of these, please let me know, and if we get enough people interested, we will get Denny to come out and do a presentation.

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A NEW SUPPORT GROUP FOR SOLDIERS HAS FORMED CALLED "WARRIORS' JOURNEY HOME"

It is a nonsectarian, nonpolitical group that will be meeting the second Sunday of the month at 2pm at Bridgeway Behavioral Health 1206 E. Veteran's memorial Parkway in Warrenton. Rev. Dr. Gary Ellul (retired from the Army, a licensed counselor, and pastor at St. Paul's In Jonesburg) will be leading the group. You can call his office if you are interested or know someone who is. Phone number is 636-224-1411. Pamphlets are on the counter in the narthex if you would like more information.

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OFFERING ENVELOPES ARE ON THE SHELVES UNDERNEATH THE CHURCH MAILBOXES IN THE NARTHEX IF YOU HAVEN'T PICKED THEM UP YET!

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OUR LAST DIRECTORY (Last updated in August of 2016) has a lot of outdated phone numbers. If your number has changed, please call the office 456-2888 and let Terry know!

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DUE TO SOME TROUBLES WITH OUR CHURCH EMAIL ADDRESS WE HAVE HAD TO GET A NEW ONE

Our new email address is sjwarrlutheran@gmail.com. Please change it in your address books!!

Pastor's email, revklaus@hotmail.com will remain the same.

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A NEW AND EXPANDED VERSION OF LUTHER'S SMALL CATECHISM IS AVAILABLE AT A REDUCED PRICE OF $14.49!!

It is a great tool for learning and for daily meditation and devotions. Sign up to get your copy in the narthex today!

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LITTLE LAMBS IS STILL SELLING CANDY BARS AND COULD USE YOUR HELP!

If you'd like to help sell a box or two of candy bars as a fundraiser for Little Lambs preschool. Let Terry or one of the preschool ladies know. They'll hook you up right quick!

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DO YOU HAVE A THRIVENT FINANCIAL ACCOUNT OR POLICY?

You may be eligible to receive money for Little Lambs or Good Shepherd!! Go to www.thrivent.com/choicedollars to check it out!

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OPERATION BACKPACK DONATIONS FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY IS CANNED FRUIT.

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PRAYERS:

For LIL WINTER as she undergoes several tests to find out what is wrong with her heart today.

For PAUL TOEDEBUSCH as he continues to recover from a broken leg and severely sprained ankle. He has to wear a boot for 4 more weeks, but can walk on it and use a cane to get around.

For PAT MANESS who is moving to Twin Oaks today.

For GEORGE HOESCHER as his cancer has returned after a very short time of being in remission.

For GINA BOHNING (Roy Bohning's wife), BUCK HAMPTON, and DENISE HOOKER (Betty Tameler's daughter) as they continue to deal with cancer.

PRAYERS FOR OUR MILITARY PERSONNEL:

For COLTON FIGURA deployed to Turkey, SAM HARGROVE deployed in Kuwait 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, 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.

Prayer request for Lil Winter

Please pray for Lil Winter as she will have an ultrasound on her heart as well as a chemical stress test to find out what is wrong with her heart.

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Daily Email: Wednesday, January 31, 2018

DEVOTION: 1 Corinthians 9:16-27 English Standard Version (ESV)

¹⁶For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!¹⁷For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship. ¹⁸What then is my reward? That in my preaching I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.

¹⁹For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. ²⁰To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. ²¹To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. ²²To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. ²³I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.

²⁴Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. ²⁵Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. ²⁶So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. ²⁷But I discipline my body and keep it under control,^[a] lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

"For the sake of the Gospel", that is the key phrase in all of this. Paul's sole purpose is advancing the Gospel into the hearts and lives of all of God's creation. He was sent to make known the good news of Jesus!

And here is the good news, here is the Gospel: Jesus came to fulfill the law and then suffer and die for us because we couldn't. Three days later he rose from the dead as victor over sin, death the devil, and hell. Because he died, we die with him, and because he rose from the dead we rise with him to eternal life! On the last day he will give to all believers complete, total, and everlasting freedom from sin, death, the devil, and hell!"

So Paul, did everything he could and lived the way he needed to live to make sure the Gospel had free course in everyone's life. Whether they were Jew or Greek, slave or free, from the right side or the wrong side of town, he became one off them so that they could be come one of him, a saved human being who would live forever because of God's mercy and grace!

As one who has been hit by the Gospel bug, not in as much of a dramatic way as Paul, but hit nonetheless, I often feel the same way as he did. I will do anything, be anything, forgive whoever I need to forgive, live however I need to live so that others can hear the Gospel and believe it. That is my sole purpose in life! I can never satisfy this urge enough. I continuously want to do more, be more, and go more to spread the good news about Jesus.

I'll pray for you too, that you get that same fire in the belly that I have to proclaim the good news of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, because there is no more satisfying, wonderful, exciting thing in all the world than bringing someone to the full knowledge of Jesus Christ their Savior! Let's get after this together and get to work!

Prayer: Lord, thank you for giving me the privilege to proclaim the good news of your kingdom and righteousness! Help me to have the energy, stamina, and joy to keep doing it till the day I die. Amen.