Blog (Page 55)

Love Builds Bridges Not Walls

Our Children’s Time talk this morning was a wonderful story about two brothers who due to a disagreement decide to build a wall between their adjoining properties. Listen to the audio below of this tale as the intervention of a third party changes the construction from a wall to a bridge and the impact that…

St. Mark Community Garden News

The 2017 Gardening season is almost over and the garden has been  absolutely beautiful this summer.  We got a late start with a wet, soggy spring, and many of us volunteer gardeners did not have very high hopes for a great garden.  We had to replant our peas, spinach, beets, and lettuce, and planted the…

The Weakest Link

Today is the 14th Sunday after Pentecost and today’s gospel, Matthew 18:15-20, talks of situations having to do with church discipline. Pastor Beth asked us if we remembered a TV game show called: The Weakest Link Contestants were voted off the show one by one as they were selected by the other contestants and had…

ELCA Presiding Bishop Responds to DACA Announcement

CHICAGO (Sept. 4, 2017) – The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), has issued the following statement in response to the Trump administration’s announcement about the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. “As we journey together through the time God has given us, may God give…

Can You Do That For Me?

When Jesus revealed the purpose of his ministry, the words were hard to accept by his disciples. Jesus told them he must go to Jerusalem and “undergo great suffering…and be killed.” When Peter began to question him, Jesus reminded Peter that he was dwelling on human things rather than divine things. Jesus asks us to…

Fall Worship Schedule

Fall Worship Schedule begins Sunday (Sept 10). 8:30am & 11:00am worship (Communion served at both services) We will celebrate the beginning of a new program year with a POTLUCK BRUNCH between services. Please bring a dish to share if you can. Help needed to set up and clean up afterwards. (Sign up sheet is posted…

We are all “Keys” to the Kingdom

Pastor Eric’s sermon was based on the 16th Chapter of Matthew where Jesus asks his disciples who they think he is.  Peter tells Jesus that he is the Messiah, the Son of God.  Jesus, pleased with Peter’s response, tells him that he is the “rock” on which the church will be built, and that he…

Challenged, Convicted, Called

It is hard to believe the violence and hatred seen recently in the media is actually happening in our time, in our country. Pastor Beth encouraged us that in times like this we especially need to remember God’s dream for us to live as a family. The Word of God challenges us, convicts us and…

Notice The Miracles Around Us

Pastor Eric attempted to walk on water today, to illustrate in the Children’s’ Sermon that miracles are extraordinary moments in ordinary lives. He gave the children ice cubes to remember the story, along with a reminder to notice the miracles that happen in our lives every day. In today’s Gospel, Matthew 14: 22-33, Jesus comes…