The Spirit March 19, 2020

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A Note from Pastor Jay

Two Things You Must Know.

#1 – I am here for you.

These are trying and difficult times.  As the days and weeks go by, we will find ourselves faced with challenges we have never had to overcome before.  But I know for sure that nothing surprises the Lord, that nothing is impossible for Him, and that He has seen these days and every one of our days from eternity.

“Your eyes saw my unformed substance;
in your book were written, every one of them,
    the days that were formed for me,
    when as yet there was none of them.” – Psalm 139:16

Though we all must do our part to love each other and our neighbor by protecting them, by doing our part to not risk spreading this virus to each other, please know that if you are comfortable and desiring me to call on you, visit with you, serve you communion, pray with you personally, whatever…all you have to do is call me or email me.  Yes, even when together I/we will do all we can to protect one another in love, but I will come to be together with you if you so desire and it is not an unreasonable risk to either of us.

Also, although there is a limit of 10 people for public gatherings, that is still 10 people.  If you desire to come to the church to pray, to confess and receive absolution, or to talk, please let me know and I will ensure our staff and personnel are coordinated to accommodate your needs while staying in compliance with the mandates and expectations of our government as they work hard to ensure our safety.

All unworthy, I am His and so are you.  All unworthy, I am your pastor, and it is my privilege to serve you however I can.

#2 – I am not ashamed…

…to encourage you to remain faithful in your tithing and offerings to your church, even in these times we are necessarily and temporarily separated from each other physically.

Let’s talk honestly.  April, the season of Lent and Easter, even just Easter Sunday itself, is a substantial part of any church’s budget; the budget that supports the ministry you love and participate in.  This year we face many challenges as a church.  The financial complications and possible ramifications of COVID-19 and the necessary steps we have taken to overcome this pandemic are just as real for the church as they are for our economy as a whole.  However…

This season will pass!  And, when it does, none of us wants to see the wonderful progress in ministry we have made this past year become compromised.  In fact, I am confident that through our faithfulness together in this season, through our pulling together as a family and not neglecting the needs of our church, the Lord will bring us out of the valley into a new horizon we could have never imagined on our own.

Your prayers for the Lord’s blessing on our ministry as we navigate these uncharted waters are always the most significant offering you can bring before the Lord, but that doesn’t remove your church’s need for your financial faithfulness as well.

I consider it an honor and privilege to serve you and alongside you, especially in this time.

“Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” – 1 Timothy 1:17

-Pastor Jay

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Please attend our online-only Worship Services streamed each week until further notice: Sundays • Worship Stream 10:30 AM Bible Study Stream 9:15 AM Wednesdays • Midweek Worship Stream 7:00 PM Access the services as they are streamed LIVE via the St Mark App or on our YouTube Channel

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Access the LIVE Chat Stream on Our YOUTUBE CHANNEL on Sunday!

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YES, YOUR CHURCH STILL NEEDS YOU!

I pray you are being encouraged and edified by how hard our staff and countless volunteers are working to keep our mission and ministry alive here at St. Mark even in these most difficult and strange times.  Please remember that our ability to minister to you from a distance and through technology is an investment we have made, and that needs to be maintained.  If you are unable to deliver your regular tithes and offerings to the church in person, please take the time and small effort to safely and securely remain faithful to Your Lord and His church by giving online.

Setting Up Your Online Giving is Easy!

www.stmarkomaha.org/giving

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Kick-Off Rehearsal and BBQ IS CANCELED…HOWEVER: Pastor Jay still intends to have men sing for the upcoming online streamed Easter service. We will update everyone once we have put a plan together! Email Pastor Jay to sing up!

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We need your help! Once we reach 1,000 YouTube Subscribers, we can start embedding our streamed services directly on our website. Tell your family and friends… this would really help us get the word out! Go Here Now and Hit the RED Subscribe Button

Did You Know We Make FREE Desktop Scriptures You Can Download? (You can even request your favorite passage for a future design) Go Grab Them Here!

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PART 3 NOW AVAILABLE! This series has created so much great conversation and discussion about the foundational truths of our faith and salvation in Jesus Christ. ATTENTION ALL SMALL GROUPS!  Have your group facilitator CONTACT PASTOR JAY to get the download link for this next video and discussion guide. NEED TO JOIN A SMALL GROUP? CONTACT PASTOR JAY

Unfortunately, we are canceling Spring Festival due to the mandated restrictions on gatherings that have been extended until the end of April. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . WHILE YOU’RE STUCK AT HOME… WHY NOT CATCH UP ON SOME READING? MARCH 23RD – 27TH in the Fellowship Hall from 1pm – 6pm We’ve “Spring Cleaned” our library and you’re welcome to pick up some new material – take any of the books you’d like.

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Coming Soon from Your Sunday School Team: Pastor Jay and the Sunday School Team are working on putting together Sunday School activity packets (both downloadable and for pick-up) for your children so you can engage them at home in Bible-centered lessons and things to do during quarantine. We will announce when these packets are available!

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Band of Brothers activities are on hold until further notice due to the restrictions on gatherings.

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Weekly Prayers Cancer:  Michelle Brase, Gina Ellis, Ruthie Hagerbaumer, Cindy Kuntz Health & Wellness:  Jo, Kim Moe, Chris Stargel Military:  Jordan Hammond (Son of Steve and Mary Kay Swale); Zach Karels; Scott Lewis (Linda Wegner’s Cousin); Quenten Oldenkamp; Amber Phipps; Jarod Suhr Special:  All those affected by the Corona Virus (COVID – 19). All those anxious or worried about Corona Virus (COVID – 19) and its impact on our world. Peace & Comfort (Deaths):  Please keep Karen Meyer and the family and friends of Alan Meyer in your prayers as they morn his passing and celebrate his life. To request public Prayers of the Church e-mail Kelly Thompson at kthompson@stmarkomaha.org. For Prayer Chain requests please contact Katrina Muganyizi at 402-238-6844 or email evelkat@yahoo.com.

The Days Ahead Concordia Academy – Students Remote Learning – Teachers On-Site Thursday, March 19th No Events Scheduled for Today Friday, March 20th No Events Scheduled for Today Saturday, March 21st 9:00 am  Band Practice – Praise and Worship – Sanctuary Sunday, March 22nd 9:15 am  School for All – Information Coming Soon – Sunday School 9:15 am  Adult Bible Study with Pastor Jay – Live Streaming 10:30 am  Blended Worship Service – Live Streaming & YouTube for Delayed Viewing Monday, March 23rd 9:00 am  Preschool Chapel – 4 Year Olds & Pre-K 5 Year Olds – Sanctuary Tuesday, March 24th 9:00 am  Preschool Chapel – 3 Year Olds Wednesday, March 25th 7:00 pm  Midweek Lenten Worship Service – Questions of the Passion – Live Streaming Thursday, March 26th No Events Scheduled for Today

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This Week’s Birthdays Friday, March 20th Christy Leu Ruth Senechal Saturday, March 21st Ann Burger Bethany Cannon Sunday, March 22nd Michael Fiscus Adam Zebolsky Monday, March 23rd Mark Vanderloo III Cassie Ward Wednesday, March 25th Dolores Most Thursday, March 26th Leonard Becker Dorian Henley Kevin Matasovsky Melissa Rosenthal   This Week’s Anniversaries Saturday, March 21st Dustin and Lisa Jones *6 Years

Next Week’s Birthdays Friday, March 27th Stephanie Barry John Papera Bryan Watson Beth Zacharias Saturday, March 28th Tanner Thompson Melissa Watson Sunday, March 29th Gloria Dahlquist Jesse Jay Paige Petersen Monday, March 30th Kelly Thompson Tuesday, March 31st William Rolles Christy Smith Tuesday, April 2nd Abigail Fisher Tucker Herber Morgan Messel Jesse Taylor   Next Week’s Anniversaries Monday, March 30th Bryan & Melissa Watson *24 Years

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