Gospel Highlight

Isaiah 49:1-7 – Listen to me, O coastlands, and give attention, you peoples from afar. The LORD called me from the womb, from the body of my mother He named my name. He made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of His hand He hid me; He made me a polished arrow; in His quiver He Hid me away. And He said to me, “You are My servant, Israel, in whom I will be glorified.” But I said, “I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity; yet surely my right is with the LORD, and my recompense with my God.” And now the LORD says, He who formed me from the womb to be His servant, to bring Jacob back to Him; and that Israel might be gathered to Him;—for I am honored in the eyes of the LORD, and my God has become my strength;—He says: “It is too light a thing that you should be My servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to bring back the preserved of Israel; I will make you as a light for the nations, that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth. Thus says the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel and His Holy One, to one deeply despised, abhorred by the nation, the servant of rulers: “Kings shall see and arise; princes, and they shall prostrate themselves; because of the LORD, who is faithful, the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.


 ”This passage from Isaiah is an amazingly human picture of Jesus. So often we focus on Jesus as God;—His power, His holiness and goodness, the way He provides for us. But here we have Jesus in His own words telling us what it was like to live His life as a Man, a Servant of God. And what does He show us? He faces the same sort of conflict we face. God the Father has called Jesus to do a particular job, to bring the people of the world back to Him;—and Jesus knows this. He mentions how God named Him when He was conceived in Mary’s womb, how God prepared Him like a weapon to be used against the powers of evil. And yet, Jesus knows the same feelings we have of stress and fear and depression. All His hard work, all the healing and teaching and travelling and arguing;—has any of it done any good? Like any man, He puts His trust in God, and leans on Him for strength. The incarnate Son of God is not ashamed to behave like any believer; He is our model in this, too. And the Father says to Him: “It’s not enough for You to be the Savior of Israel only: I will give You as a light for the nations, that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth!” And Jesus counts it an honor that the Father has trusted Him to save all;—through His own suffering, death, and resurrection. I am grateful for this look at Jesus’ heart;—to come close to His feelings and struggles as a Man as well as His power and glory as God. This human, divine Jesus is our Savior.

Thanks be to God!

JESUS CONNECTIONS
Learning & Memorizing the 10 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 week, children will focus on the first two commandments: You shall have no other gods, and You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God. Through age-appropriate lessons and meaningful discussion, kids will learn how these commandments help us put God first and speak His name with love and respect.

God’s Loving Guide for Everyday Life

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

Fellowship for Sunday, Jan. 18
Whatever Sounds Good


Good food - good mood. If what you want to bring sounds good to you - chances are someone or two or three people in the room will feel the same way. 

Good food with even better company!

 

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!

LWML Meeting

Ladies, you're invited to join us for our next LWML (Lutheran Women's Missionary League) meeting on Monday, January 19th at 6 PM! It's a great opportunity to gather together for fellowship, support, and to learn about ways we can serve and support missions. We look forward to seeing you there!

Serving together.  Growing together.

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 –  Surgery was a success! May God be with her during the healing process.

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.

Diana Dubois - Quick recovery from cataract surgery.

John Rose - Quick recovery from cataract surgery. 

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

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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