Pew News | St. Mark Lutheran Church and Preschool

On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." John 20:19

Do you remember any time in your life when you were scared, afraid of something?

You probably do. Perhaps you remember a few moments from your childhood, when you were in a dark room, alone, and heard a noise. What was your reaction and feeling at that moment? What did you think? You most likely remained silent, cowering, trembling and, maybe thought, hopefully, no one will find me here, or were you distressed, bewildered, and sought help with your parents?

I do not know.

You may have also reacted differently, but you certainly felt very safe when your parents approached you. With their arrival, you were sure you were safe and that no harm would come to you.

Fear and doubt: these are words from the Gospel of John 20:19-31.

What is described in this text by the evangelist John are events from the Sunday afternoon when Jesus rose from the dead. The disciples were sad and hopeless at the memories of Jesus' death. Filled with fear that the Jews might also come for them, they had hidden behind locked doors.

Suddenly, Jesus appeared in their midst.

They wondered how can this happen? Jesus died and had been buried. How could He stand in their midst? The disciples were terrified, confused, scared, and Thomas doubted. "Is He a ghost?" some asked. Not hardly. Jesus was no apparition or flight of their imagination. Jesus was resurrected and had sought them out to bring them incredibly good news.

First, He tries to put their fears to rest. He says, "Peace be with you!"

Fear and doubt: these are part of our lives and have been our companions since our birth. To be sure, the fears and doubts we had as children no longer trouble us, but other complications always arise, which leave us confused, sad and unsure how to proceed.

To help us in our distress we need someone who offers us a hand, someone who can protect us and really, truly give us lasting peace.

That Someone is the Savior. It is interesting to observe the loving way Jesus treated His disciples on Resurrection Sunday. In spite of all their fears and doubts, Jesus patiently reached out to them and assured them of the Father's love.

He knew these men were sinners who desperately needed His love, His grace, and His peace.

In a similar way, 2,000 years later, Jesus deals with us. He knows when difficulties arise in our lives we will be frightened, hopeless and distressed.

Jesus knows these things, and in His Word, He comes to us to bring us peace. To those who are given ears of faith, they will hear Jesus say to them: "Peace be with you! Do not be afraid, I am with you!" Amen.

(This devotion was written by Rev. Joenes Trams)

Confirmation

If you are interested, see Elder Mark DuBois.

Confirmation class begins @ 10:30 a.m. following Fellowship in Conference Room.

JESUS CONNECTIONS - A Surprise Visit

It’s ok to feel scared or worried, especially when things don’t go the way we planned. But then, someone shows up with good news or a kind word, and everything feels better. It’s like a friend arriving just when you need them most, reminding you that you’re never alone, no matter what happens.

Even when we feel scared, we’re never alone! We don’t see Jesus face to face—but we can still believe, trust Him, and feel His peace in our hearts.

Join us at 10:30 a.m. right after Fellowship in the preschool room.

Fellowship for April 27 - Fruit and What Goes with It

When it comes to fruit, we all intuitively know some flavor combinations that work well. But, when you start to dig deeper, you can discover some amazing flavor combinations. After stopping to see what fruit is in season, it’s fun to think about what spices and flavors might pair well with that fruit. Oftentimes, the best pairings can be a bit unexpected, and that's what makes cooking and baking so exciting! There is always something new to discover and try out.

Eating fruit is like giving your body a hug from the inside out.

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

Tana Doerr - Recovering in the bounce-back rehab unit from hip surgery.

Don Brown - Released from the rehab hospital and is back at his son, Jayson’s house.

Michelle (Julie Featherston’s Daughter-in-law’s Sister) - Thank you for the prayers, she is home now, still searching for cause.

Jerry Byers - Is back home in Elko however, his pancreas is still inflamed and he is still waiting on the inflammation to go down so he can have required surgery.

Aaron Byers (Helen Cantrell’s son) - Diagnosed with Metastatic Malignant Melanoma.

Helen Cantrell - Health Issues.

Vera Renee Wingerter (Kristie Kraft's Great Grand Daughter) - Born on April 14th, 2025; and was hospitalized on the April 15th with heart complications doctors working to diagnose and find the best course of action and treatment.

Taylor Wingerter (Kristie Kraft's granddaughter) Hospitalized with a pancreatitis.

Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayers.

Prayer requests can now be sent to stmarkelko@gmail.com.

Men's Fellowship Breakfast

Gentlemen, it’s time for food, faith, and fellowship! Join us this Friday, April 25th, 8:30 a.m. @ Stockmen's for a delicious breakfast, great conversation, and time to grow together in faith.

This is a wonderful chance to connect with other men, share experiences, and encourage each other in our walk with Christ. Everyone is welcome, whether you're new or a long-time member!

Bring a friend, and let’s make it a morning to remember!

St. Mark Lutheran Church Voters Meeting

Join us for the St. Mark Lutheran Church Voters Meeting on May 18th, directly after service, where important leadership positions will be filled. Spots open for election include Vice President, Secretary, Financial Secretary, Trustee, and 2 Elders. The Preschool Board also has Vice Chair, Treasurer, Secretary, and Member-at-large positions open. We ask all members to prayerfully consider these roles or suggest someone who would be a great candidate. Let’s come together to strengthen our church family and continue our mission in faith.

Answering the Call: Serving Together in Faith

The Twelve: A look into the 12 Disciples of Christ

The 12 disciples were chosen by Jesus to follow Him, learn from Him, and eventually spread the gospel to the world. They were ordinary men—fishermen, tax collectors, and zealots—whom Jesus transformed into bold witnesses of His message. This Bible study will explore their lives, calling, and how their faith impacted the early church.
Bible study will begin Sunday, May 4th @ 10:30 in the sanctuary.

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