Gospel Highlight

Matthew 5:3 – … theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

I have to confess, that the Beatitudes in Matthew chapter 5 were never my favorite. I would read “Blessed are the pure in heart,” and immediately all of the impurities in my own heart would leap into my thoughts. Or I would read “Blessed are those who mourn” and think that I don’t want to mourn! I don’t want to be sad or grieve. I knew these were Jesus’ words, but I really didn’t want to read them. I found no pleasure in them, and I got on to the next chapter as quickly as I could.

But lately I begin to wonder if I was reading them all wrong. Have you ever noticed that, except for the first one and the last, all of them have a statement in the future tense? For example, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” Clearly, the earth doesn’t belong to the meek right now; this is a statement about the future. Or try, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” This is also clearly about the future, ...to finish this week's Gospel Highlight.

JESUS CONNECTIONS
Learning & Memorizing the 
5th & 6th Commandments 

From January 18 – February 15, Jesus Connections is learning about the 10 Commandments—God’s loving guide for how we live, love, and care for one another. This coming week, children will learn and memorize the Fifth and Sixth Commandments: You shall not murder—helping and caring for our neighbor in physical need—and You shall not commit adultery—learning what it means to be faithful and live a decent, God-pleasing life.  Through age-appropriate lessons and meaningful activities, kids will see how God calls us to show love, respect, and care for others in our daily lives.

Helping, Caring, and Being Faithful

FMI on upcoming Jesus Connections events and learning, 
reach out to Teacher Stephanie

Fellowship for Sunday, Feb. 1
BAKE WITH LOVE!

Baking for others can increase a feeling of well-being, contribute to stress relief, and make you feel like you’ve done something good for the world, which perhaps increases your purpose and connection with other people.


Baking is done out of love to share with family and friends, to see them smile.

Men's Fellowship Breakfast

Men of St. Mark! - If your week runs on coffee, bacon, and brotherly encouragement, we’ve got good news.

Join us for men’s breakfast featuring:

  • Food that tastes better than it is good for you
  • Coffee strong enough to forgive your sins (Not even Close!)
  • Conversation ranging from Scripture to sports to “remember when…”
  • Fellowship without singing solos or being volunteered for anything (probably)

Come hungry and leave fed. No RSVP required - But Pants are!

Lord, provide healing, peace, strength, comfort, and understanding…   

Aaron Byers - Diagnosed with Metastatic Melanoma. Prayers for continued treatment.

Helen Cantrell - Health issues, pray for comfort as she continues treatment.

Eddie Henson - Prayers of thanks for a successful surgery.

Tana Doerr - Thankful for coming home again!  It's been a long road, but God is good!

Mathew Eisinger - Prayers for Pastor Jake & Alyssa’s son, Mathew Eisinger, as he deploys with the Army to Poland Sept. 16th, for 9 months. May the lord keep him safe on his deployment & return safely home.

Sara Kalaveras – Her surgery went well, and she is home. May God give her strength and patience during her recovery.

Carol Doerr –  Praise God! Surgery was successful. Thank you to all who kept her in your prayers.

Sharon (Julie F.’s sister-in-law) - Has been diagnosed with a serious heart condition. Pray for wisdom and guidance for the doctors as they determine the best treatment, and for peace, strength, and relief from stress for her and her loved ones during this time.

Kathy Parker (Diana Dubois's sister-in-law) - Peace and Strength during a difficult time in her life.

St. Mark Lutheran Preschool - Staff and Leaders as they discern and make challenging decisions for the greater good of the school and the proclamation of Jesus to the Littles of our community.

Wyatt & Jake Bradford - We pray for God’s protection, guidance, and peace as Wyatt Bradford serves in the Navy in Okinawa, and Jake Bradford, U.S. Marines, serving in Camp Lejeune, and for comfort and strength for their families at home.

Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayers.

For prayer requests or changes to a current prayer, please email  stmarkelko@gmail.com.

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