We treasure the Word, baptismal water, and the bread and wine of holy communion. We want to nurture a culture and a love for the heritage of rich but very down-to-earth worship. It's called liturgical; it's historical, biblical, and invites participation by the whole family.  It's simple worship. Join us.

SUNDAY BULLETIN

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… (Jesus said) “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

I wasn’t too long in the ministry before I heard the question, “Where is Jesus?”
The question was prompted by the motorcycle death of one of the young adult members of my congregation. No drugs. No booze. No speeding. He was a good kid. One day as he was on his bike, a driver didn’t see him, and in a second it was all over.
Understandably, mother and father were heartbroken. He had been their only son.
In the days following his death, I noticed an amazing difference.
The mother’s opinion was “I don’t understand why the Lord took my boy home. No, I don’t understand, but I trust the Lord to do what is right. We will meet again.”
The father felt something quite different.
Outraged at God, the father said, “Jesus is supposed to be a God of love. Jesus is supposed to be all-powerful.” From these two very basic statements of faith, both of which are quite right, the father concluded, quite wrongly: “If God loved my boy and He can do whatever He wants, then Jesus should have saved my son.”
The father concluded, “Where was Jesus? I can tell you where He wasn’t. He wasn’t with my boy. And if Jesus wasn’t with my boy then, then I don’t need Jesus now.”
The father wasn’t ready to listen to me or anyone else.
He didn’t want to hear how God had protected his boy through countless other accidents that never happened. He didn’t want to hear how the Savior who lived and died and rose to save his son, would never — could never — do anything hurtful or wrong. He didn’t want to hear how the Lord may have, by taking his boy home, saved his soul from a deadly, future temptation.
Dad didn’t want to hear; his mind was made up.
When I left that church and community, his attitude hadn’t changed.
I pray he has changed now because the truth is Jesus loved his boy and Jesus still loves that father as well.
So, where is Jesus?
Here is an honest answer. He is there with you, right now.
The fact that you may not feel Him, or see Him, or agree with Him, does not change the fact Jesus is with you. He is there, protecting you from dangers you cannot imagine.
When you feel singularly alone, when you feel there is nobody you could count on, when you think everyone has deserted you, He is there. How do I know?
I know because He told me.
This Devotion is courtesy of the Lutheran Hour Ministries. 
In the Old Testament, Isaiah is the theologian par excellence. No book in the Old Testament comes close to Isaiah. The prophet’s saving message, soaring language, and unforgettable imagery are tightly woven into the fabric of Christian hymnody, liturgy, and devotional literature. Isaiah's influence on the New Testament is massive. Isaiah articulates Christology, ecclesiology, and missiology.

Join us Sunday as we work through the Book of Isaiah @ 10:45 a.m., in the Sanctuary!

 

Jesus Connections Summer Break Notice

As summer begins, Jesus Connections will be taking a short break to enjoy time with family and friends.
Thank you to all the families who shared their little ones with us this year. It has been such a blessing to help nurture their love for Jesus through stories, songs, crafts, and fellowship. Watching these children grow in faith and joy has been a gift to us all.

We pray your summer is filled with laughter, rest, adventures, and God’s many blessings. We look forward to seeing everyone again soon! 

Bring something round to celebrate rounding out the month, rounding out the school year, and rolling into our Annual Rummage and Rhubarb prep!

It takes all kinds to make the world go ‘round!
Interested in learning what Lutherans believe, teach, and confess? Interested in becoming a member of St. Mark Lutheran Church? Already a member and want to refresh your knowledge of the church?

 Join us for LUTHERAN ROOTS, Wednesdays @ 6 p.m.!

LWML will be hosting its annual Rhubarb and Rummage sale June 5 & 6 and June 12 & 13, so start cleaning out your closets and garage!  You may drop items off Monday-Wednesday, of next week, between 11:00 am and 2:00 pm. We are unable to accept clothing or shoes again this year. 

We truly appreciate the treasures you donate!

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!

Lord, provide healing, peace, strength, comfort, and understanding… 

HEALTH
Mister (Friend of John Rose) – Having a port put in to start Chemotherapy.
Mark Dubois – Foot surgery went well, and recovering at home. 
Marguerite and Toby Sanchez – (Debbie Dwyer’s parents)  Toby is scheduled to have surgery on Thursday the 21st. Prayers are requested for a successful surgery. May the Lord bring peace and comfort to both Toby and Marguerite. 
John Rose - Having a biopsy done to test for potential skin cancer. Prayers for peace and encouragement.
Diana Dubois – Peace, comfort, and understanding after the passing of her mother. 
Daniel Hood – Peace and Encouragement as he seeks new employment. 
MILITARY
Mathew Eisinger – Prayers of thanksgiving for a safe return from Poland.
Wyatt & Jake Bradford – Wyatt Bradford serves in the Navy in Okinawa, and Jake Bradford, U.S. Marines, serving in Camp Lejeune.
Jeffrey Byers (Jerry & Lori's nephew) – Is in the Marines & is being deployed to Iran.
We pray for God’s protection, guidance, and peace, for those away from home or in need, 
 as well as comfort and strength for their families during this trying time.

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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