The Spirit March 26, 2020

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A Note from Pastor Jay

“Could you not watch and pray with me one hour?” – Jesus (Mtt. 26:40)

Yes, you do have time!  How much time?  More than you think to read your Bible…even when you’re not self-quarantining.

40 out of 66 books (61%) of the Bible can each be read in less than an hour.

The average American watches TV for approximately 3 hours a day.

61 of the books (92%) of the Bible could be read in one day’s television consumption.

Take here are some examples of how long it takes the average reader to read a book of the Bible:

• Genesis – 3.5 hours
• Obadiah – 4 minutes
• Judges – 1.75 hours
• Malachi – 11 minutes
• Mark – 1.5 hours
• Romans – 1 hour
• Colossians – 13 minutes
• Hebrews – 45 minutes
• Revelation – 1.25 hours

Jesus said man shall not live on bread (or tv, or youtube, or science fiction), but by every word that comes from God. – Mtt. 4:4

Get living my friends, and get reading!  You have the time…only while you have it.

God bless you!

-Pastor Jay

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ONLINE ONLY WORSHIP SCHEDULE

PALM SUNDAY (APRIL 5TH) @ 10:30AM

MAUNDY THURSDAY (APRIL 9TH) @ 7:00PM

GOOD FRIDAY (APRIL 10TH) @ 7:00PM

EASTER SUNDAY (APRIL 12TH) @ 9:00AM

Stream all services on our YouTube Channel Live Page

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Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The circumstances we find ourselves in have brought challenges to our ministry and practices that are unique and new to all of us.  I have given much prayer and consideration, including many conversations with both my brethren in the ministry and our District President, as to how best to handle the distribution of communion to our members during this time of social distancing and limited public gatherings, if we are to distribute it at all.  There have been times when the church has had to go considerable lengths of time without the administration of the Lord’s Supper (i.e. previous widespread illness, time of persecution, etc.), however no one circumstance is the same.  We always take our guidance and comfort first from Scripture, and in this case, the words of our Lord when He instituted the Lord’s supper.  As the Apostle Paul makes clear in 1 Corinthians 11, our Lord instructed us “as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.”

Our Lord did not prescribe a certain schedule or minimum participation in the Lord’s supper, but “as often as you do.”  Of first importance, is our faith in both what our Lord has said and what He has not said.  Jesus also told his apostles (and all pastors after them) in Matthew 16:19, “ I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”  Just as much as the Lord’s Supper is “for the forgiveness of your sins” so too has God given pastors to proclaim absolution, so your own ears can hear it, and so that you can know for certain that God has in fact forgiven you of all yours sins, “upon this, your confession.”  Even over a livestream, when you confess to God with the Church and in faith hear and receive the absolution proclaimed, you receive forgiveness, God’s forgiveness in Christ.

With that both being true, and now said, I share with many of you the longing for the unique and precious gift God has given at His Table.  Especially during this time when we are serious in our efforts both to protect ourselves and our neighbors in our physical health, and amid so much fear, the last thing we want to do is trouble peoples’ conscience in any way.  God’s grace abounds through faith in Jesus no matter where we are or the circumstances we find ourselves in.  I neither want to deprive the conscience of those who long for the Lord’s Supper and are comfortable receiving it, nor do I want to trouble the conscience of those who have a legitimate fear and trepidation of what participation in the table might risk regarding the current spread of COVID-19.  It is no doubt a difficult position many pastors find themselves in.  As such, I appeal to Scripture, that says in 1 Timothy 1:5, “The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.”  So, both according to the charge of my good conscience and yours…

I WOULD LIKE TO OFFER THE LORD’S SUPPER TO THOSE WHO WISH TO RECEIVE IT IN THE FOLLOWING MANNER

• Sunday Afternoons 12:00noon – 2:00pm – I will be at the church to serve communion to any of you who are comfortable receiving it.
• By Appointment – If you would like to come to the church to receive communion at any time, please contact me directly to schedule an appointment, and I will gladly serve you.
• Calling on You – If you would like me to visit you, in home, for prayer and/or communion, please contact me to schedule a time to do so.
• IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES – We will always keep common sense and responsibility for protecting one another’s health as a top priority in how we keep sanitary, maintain hygiene, and clean spaces.  We are doing this every day and everywhere here at the church.
• NO MATTER WHAT – I want you to and pray that all of you know that God’s grace, in all of it’s saving fullness, is yours already through faith in Christ, and you should have a clear conscience whether you choose to partake in communion or not.

I pray this explanation brings you comfort and understanding in this matter however you choose to partake or not to partake in the Lord’s Supper at this time.

Your Servant in Christ – Pastor Jay

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“Stay at Home” Resources

During this quarantine, we will be making various learning resources available for download (and to watch) to share with your children, family and friends.

Click Here to See the Resources

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Equip our youth with the Good News and enjoy sharing Sunday School messages with your children including Zacchaeus, Holy Week, Easter and more. This is a fun way to engage your family in the Word through stories, puppet shows, games and hands on activities. Get your Gospel on-the-go with this Faith and Fun Take Out Style Sunday School. Call Kelly in the Church Office (402-913-2258) to make arrangements to pick up your box curbside.

Or Click Here to Receive Your Sunday School Box!

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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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Click Here to Volunteer Online!

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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

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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

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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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New learning content is being added weekly for our Preschoolers!

In fact, we have a whole new Resource Center available including downloadable lessons, activities, and even online Storybook Time!

Click here to access the Resource Center on our Preschool and Childcare Website!

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Fun & Faith Take Out Packets: Equip our youth with the Good News and enjoy sharing Sunday School messages with your children including Zacchaeus, Holy Week, Easter and more. This is a fun way to engage your family in the Word through stories, puppet shows, games and hands on activities. Get your Gospel on-the-go with this Faith and Fun Take Out Style Sunday School. Call Kelly in the Church Office (402-913-2258) to make arrangements to pick up your box curbside. Or Click Here to Receive Your Sunday School Box!

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Did You Know You Can Request for Prayers on Our Website? Click Here!

Weekly Prayers

Cancer:  Gina Ellis, Ruthie Hagerbaumer, Cindy Kuntz

Health & Wellness:  Jo, Kim Moe, Chris Stargel; Grace 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.

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

Thursday, March 26th
1:00 PM  Library Book Shopping – Fellowship Hall

2:30 PM  St. Mark Staff Meeting – Pastor Jay’s Office

Friday, March 27th
1:00 PM  Library Book Shopping – Fellowship Hall

Saturday, March 28th
9:00 am  Band Practice – Praise and Worship – Sanctuary

Sunday, March 29th
9:15 am  Sunday School – Faith & Fun Take Out Style – Your Homes

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 30th
9:00 am  Preschool Chapel – 4 Year Olds & Pre-K 5 Year Olds – Sanctuary

Tuesday, March 31st
9:00 am  Preschool Chapel – 3 Year Olds

Wednesday, April 1st
7:00 pm  Midweek Lenten Worship Service – Questions of the Passion – Live Streaming

Thursday, April 2nd
No Events Scheduled for Today

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This 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 Thursday, April 2nd Abigail Fisher Tucker Herber Morgan Messel Jesse Taylor This Week’s Anniversaries Monday, March 30th Bryan & Melissa Watson *24 Years

Next Week’s Birthdays Friday, April 3rd Paige Bailey Melvin Gelster Saturday, April 4th Kaitlyn Farnsworth Juliana Godden Gladys Hamaker Brandon Paustian Monday, April 6th Duane Ward Tuesday, April 7th Dustin Jones Emory Likes Wednesday, April 8th Frank Arnason Bob Wacker Thursday, April 9th Brittani Fisher Jens Petersen Jr Martin Peyton Next Week’s Anniversaries Friday, April 3rd Dan & Kristal Platt *27 Years Sunday, April 5th Bruce & Lisa Hayes *34 Years Curtis & Denise Ossenkop *45 Years Monday, April 6th Christopher & Carol Beber *29 Years Tuesday, April 7th Mark & Janet Flemmer *36 Years

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