The Spirit February 27, 2020
February 27, 2020 |
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NEW IN THIS ISSUECONNECT 3 GROUPS |
MORE NEWSYOUTH MINISTRY |
A Note from Pastor Jay
Hello Saints of St. Mark!
“Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus.” – Acts 3:19-20
I remember growing up wondering sometimes if my dad really did have eyes in the back of his head. Sometimes he didn’t even have to be looking at me, or even in the same room to know exactly what my brother and I were doing that we shouldn’t have been doing. I can’t remember exactly what it was my brother and I were contemplating and scheming in this one instance, but I do remember hearing our dad yell from outside the room, “Don’t even think about it!”
Now a father myself, I am learning that you do in fact grow a third eye when you become a parent. I don’t know how it works, but there are just times (with seemingly no prompting) that I think to myself, “I bet my son is trying to eat something that is going to kill him.” One peek around the corner reveals him consuming the long stringy tassels on a throw blanket.
As we enter the season of Lent, we should do so with eyes open both in the front and in the back of our head. Lent is a time when we focus both on what is behind and what lies ahead. Lent is a season of repentance and humility as we look back upon our lives, even back upon this morning, and remember why Jesus had to come. He came because of sin. My sin. Your sin. He came to put Himself in-between sinners and the righteous wrath of the God we have sinned against; His Father. We first look back because it is only in the repentance of our sin and a returning to the Lord that we can receive and experience the eternal joy and hope that comes on Easter morning as the once crucified Son of God now lives again, resurrected, and victorious over sin, death and the devil; having exchanged His life for ours.
Jesus began His ministry saying, “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” As I have said before and will say again many times I am sure: Repentance does not bring the Kingdom of Heaven, we repent because the Kingdom of Heaven has come! It has come in Jesus.
Oswald Chambers said it this way, “It is not repentance that saves me; repentance is the sign that I realize what God has done for me in Christ Jesus.”
May your soul be refreshed and your faith rekindled this Lenten season. I look forward to worship with you all this Sunday, the first Sunday of Lent.
– Pastor Jay
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  Hi! My name is Deanna Ringler. I am a member of St. Mark and our High School youth ministry. I am collecting non-perishable foods for a school service project. Canned goods and some boxed foods are the best. I am asking if you would consider helping me in this service effort. The Open Door Mission is a ministry that St. Mark has supported for many years, and I hope to continue that effort with my own project through school and your help. I will be in the Gathering Space to answer questions and receive any donations you are gracious enough to provide starting this weekend, and ending March 8th. All of the items will be donated to Open Door Mission. Thank you for your support. I’m proud to be a part of this congregation! |
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REMINDER!Another Opportunity to Serve the Open Door Mission:Forty Days – Forty Items!Each day of Lent (Starting Ash Wednesday 2/26) remove one item from your closet that you no longer wear or need and put it into a trash bag. At the end of forty days, donate these items to Open Door Mission! Are you up for the challenge? Share this with all your friends! Think of the impact we can have helping the hungry and homeless with this challenge. 💜 Bring donations to St Mark Gathering Space by April 19 and we will deliver to the Open Door Mission. |
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WE STILL NEED TEACHERS!!Our childcare center enrollments and responses have been incredible…we can see the Lord’s hand at work! We really need to find additional Preschool and Childcare professionals to help this ministry! Are you or do you know someone that is experienced and passionate about children, teaching and caring for the Lord’s little ones? Please see our new JOBS PAGE on our website and be sure and tell those you know who may be interested. Candidates should contact our Center Director, Julie Kyriss, at jkyriss@stmarkomaha.org or by calling 402-913-2255. |
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Join Us March 11Following the 12:00 PM (Noon) Lenten Worship Service, we will meet at Romeo’s Mexican Food & Pizza – 2395 N. 90th Street (2 blocks North of the church) for lunch. |
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Theme: Jesus Changes Our Lives: Let’s Make Some Noise!It was great to see 13 kids!! We’re growing! This was week 3 of our 6 week cereal themed unit: When milk is added to Rice Krispies they automatically start making noise. Jesus changes our lives and as Christians the totally free gift of grace is certainly something worth ‘making some noise’ about by sharing Jesus with others, but a lot of us don’t automatically do it. In the story of Jesus healing the 10 lepers, we heard how only 1 came back to thank Jesus. How often are we like the other nine? We have been changed by Jesus, but we often turn our attention to our own lives instead of praising and thanking God and witnessing to other about Him with our words and actions. Today the kids made shakers filled with Rice Krispies as a reminder that God doesn’t want us to stay silent about what He’s done for us. The kids also used color coded bells to play a couple of songs about sharing Jesus with others. It’s often said that actions speak louder than words, but today ours said the same thing as we learned to say ’Jesus loves you’ in sign language. Remember if you see a kid from Sunday School walking around with their craft ask them about it. It gives them an opportunity to share God’s Love. If you would like to volunteer in this fun ministry please contact Kelly in the Church Office at kthompson@stmarkomaha.org or call 402-913-2258. The pictures below are from the Open Door Mission’s Facebook page where I could specifically pick out some of the cards made by St. Mark (upstairs after services and downstairs in Sunday school). The ones with the little bees clipped onto the hearts on a straw were made by some of the Sunday school kids a couple of weeks ago and I talked about it with some of the kids about how the cards had been delivered and how making the cards is an example of a way how we can use our words and actions to share Jesus with others. |
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Act, Love, Walk…SimplyWhat does the Lord require of you? But to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8) 5th Annual Seek & Serve Day Saturday, April 25, 2020 – 9am – 4 pm Bible Study Leader: Remkea Ockander, Family Youth Ministry Director at Good Shepherd Lutheran Activities include: Making Cards for military personnel, missionaries, and new pastors/vicars coming to our district. Polar Fleece tied (adult size) blankets for Orphan Grain Train and district LWML scholarship recipients For 2020-2021 school year.
Cost is $15 Registration. Contact Lorrie Wacker lorriewacker@cox.net if you would like to go to this |
Women’s Bible StudyJoin Us for Women’s Bible Study. We will meet in the Fellowship Hall every other Thursday at 6:30 pm. Enough For Now: Unpacking God’s SufficiencyThe concept of ‘having enough’ is one that is not often experienced. If I only had more money … more success … more time … then I would be fulfilled. Yet, even when more is attained, it rarely satisfies. An eight-lesson Women’s Bible Study, Enough For Now, explores the idea of ‘enough’ through the study of Scripture – specifically the parable of the rich fool, personal stories and practical experiences. Over the course of the eight lessons, women will discover how to escape the insatiable quest for more by finding their ‘enough’ in God. About the Author There are are some books available to our group that were given to us. Please let Jolene or Lorrie know if you need a book. Books will be available for approximately $14.95 after we deplete the supply of available books. Please let Jolene Scalzo or Lorrie Wacker know if you would like to join us. |
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Verse of the Week: Quote of the Week: Fun Fact of the Week: |
This Week:We begin a new six-part study called Echo, lead by Pastor and author Jonathon Fisk. Christianity is not the ability to memorize or recite from books of Scripture or doctrine. It is not magic. It is not a social club, counseling group, or self-help support group. It does not promise that you will be healthy, wealthy, wise, or even happy. Christianity is a truth – a truth first heard at the beginning of time that has echoed to this present age. A truth so profound that no man can master it, yet even a child can learn it. “As Iron Sharpens Iron, Men Sharpen Men!” St. Mark Band of Brothers: Raising up men to be warriors and disciples for Christ… for their families… as single men… in their workplaces… and in their community! All men and high school aged boys are welcome to join the St. Mark Band of Brothers on Saturday Mornings at 9 am in the St. Mark Youth Room. Join us as we work to center our lives around God’s Word to be the man God is calling us to be. To request the Band of Brothers weekly updates and study guides contact Jack Swanda at jswanda@cox.net. |
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T-SHIRT / POLO ORDERS UPDATENEW ORDERS BEING TAKEN!! No fees or charges for ordering online! Go to www.stmarkomaha.org and click on the “Store” top menu item. Or you can click here
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The Days AheadThursday, February 27th Friday, February 28th Saturday, February 29th Sunday, March 1st Monday, March 2nd Tuesday, March 3rd Wednesday, March 4th |
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OUR CHURCH STAFF AND LEADERSHIP |
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| Rev. Eric Jay, Pastor Kurt Harmoney, Director of Ministry Operations Julie Kyriss, Preschool & Childcare Director Kirsten Suhr, Administrative Assistant Daren Clark, Facility Technician |
Elders Kim Burger Steve Barry Doug Doerr Andy Groothuis Terry Matuska Peter Oldenburg Mike Ringler Jack Swanda |
Parish Leadership Council Alan Meyer – President Chuck Kuntz – Vice President Mike Munderloh – Treasurer Jolene Scalzo – Secretary Lisa Buchele Lisa Hayes Bruce Sharp Gale Suhr |
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This Week’s BirthdaysThursday, February 27th Friday, February 28th Sunday, March 1st Monday, March 2nd Tuesday, March 3rd Wednesday, March 4th This Week’s AnniversariesStay Tuned For More Anniversariea |
Next Week’s BirthdaysThursday, March 5th Friday, March 6th Sunday, March 8th Tuesday, March 11th Next Week’s AnniversariesFriday, March 6th |
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