St. Mark Lutheran Church and Preschool
This Week in Pew News
Stay up to date with the latest announcements, upcoming events,
and happenings at St. Mark Lutheran Church.
Check back often for new information and opportunities to connect with our church family.
[Jesus said] “For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and to them he said, ‘You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went. …”
When I was young and looking for summer jobs, the managers would often ask me, “How much money do you want?” Remembering this parable, I would answer them, “Give me whatever you think is right.” They were always fair and just.
Now, as an adult, I think that might be a risky way of negotiating a salary. Not everyone is fair and just! But God is;—and better than that, He is generous.
Look at these workers, the ones who come in the middle of the day. They don’t stop to argue with the master about their wages. They know they are lucky to get a job so late at all. And so they go into the vineyards;—and they’re agreeably surprised at the end of the day, when they make the same money as the people who got hired first. They probably wondered what got into the master, to make him so illogical! But they weren’t about to argue with him. They took their gift wages and were happy.
The same is true for us, isn’t it? We have come to Jesus as laborers in His vineyard. Some of us came early, baptized in infancy. Some came very late, first believing in our sixties or seventies;—or even on our deathbeds. No matter. Jesus gives His gift of life, salvation, and forgiveness to all His people. He is generous. And His generosity is our salvation.
Jesus calls us to Him whenever He sees us standing idle;—unemployed, unclaimed, unredeemed. He makes us His own through His death on the cross for us. He puts His own resurrection life inside us, to go out and care for other people as He has cared for us. And when we come at last into His kingdom, we will receive our gift-wages;—not what we have deserved, but what He has deserved, and given to us freely as a gift of love.
What a wonderful Lord!
This Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo.
Fellowship Hour for Sunday, September 20 – Bars + Cookies
No matter if they’re crispy, crunchy, soft, chewy, thin, thick, or sweet, we will love them! Perfect for sharing.
You are what you eat, so eat something sweet!
KIDS NEED TIME TO CONNECT WITH JESUS
Jesus Connections is connecting kids to Jesus by teaching them how to be:
ROOTED IN THE WORD OF GOD
DWELL WITH CHRIST &
BRANCH OUT INTO THE WORLD
This is our way of passing the baton of faith to the next generation.
Following Fellowship, children are invited to join the teachers for learning and fun as they explore how Jesus loves and cares for them. The curriculum is Bible-based and introduced in an age-appropriate way with interactive and hands-on activities to support the children's learning. These classes are geared towards preschool - 6th grade.
Join us Sundays @ 10:30 a.m.
Jesus Connections - Heavenly Treasures
The world may tell us that winning means being first, having the most, or getting the biggest reward. But God sees things differently. What matters most to Him is a heart that is thankful, generous, humble, and willing to serve others. When we live God’s way, we’re winning in the ways that matter most!
Winning in God’s eyes means living with a heart that honors Him!
Confirmation Classes Starting Soon!
It’s that time of year to start thinking about Confirmation!
If you or someone you know is in Junior High or Senior High School and is interested in beginning Confirmation classes, Pastor Jake is making plans for a new year of Confirmation to begin soon.
Confirmation is an opportunity for young people to grow in their understanding of God’s Word, the Christian faith, and what it means to live as a disciple of Christ.
For more information, or to learn more about getting started, please contact Pastor Jake.
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, leave encouraged. No RSVP required - but pants are!
Stay in the Know with Pew News
If you aren’t subscribed yet, we’d love to keep you informed about what’s happening in our church family!
Sign up for our weekly Pew News email for updates, announcements, and upcoming events.
SUBSCRIBE
Make sure to add stmarkelko@102693030.mailchimpapp.com to your contact list so you don't miss anything!
Generosity Grows
If you would like to be generous
and give, join here.
