Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and
utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account
- Jesus, Matthew 5

Be blessed with us this weekend!

This Sunday all adults and youth are invited to participate
in a conversation about children and youth ministries at MELC.
Please join us and contribute your input and ideas.
Children's Sunday School (K-6) will continue as usual.

Please note the start of a new prayer ministry.
Meet with us every Monday evening (6:30pm) at the home
of Jim and Barbara Peterson (405 N. Chestnut).

FRIDAY, January 29
2 pm Memorial Service: Paul Holcombe (Bethany Home)
Post game "5th Quarter" at the DeWitts - for all youth

SATURDAY, January 20
8 am Men's Bible Study
11 am Memorial Service: Willis Holwerda
2 pm Cappa Sorority Soup Supper

SUNDAY, January 30
8:15 am Senior Choir Rehearsal
9:30 am Holy Communion (ELW 5)
10:30 am Fellowship
11 am Sunday School for Children
11 am A Conversation about Children's and Youth Ministries
4:30 pm Rotary International Dinner
4:30 pm Ephesians Bible Study at Ken and Marilyn Sjogrens' (210 W. Columbus)
7 pm Senior High Devotions and Games at Messiah

MONDAY, January 31
3 pm Bethany Home Bible Study
6 pm Executive Committee
6:30 pm Prayer Meeting at the Petersons' (405 N. Chestnut)

WEDNESDAY, February 1
3:30 pm K.I.C.K. and children's choirs rehearse at Messiah Church
5:30 pm Family Meal
6:30 pm Confirmation
6:30 pm Adult Study (13 Apostles)

FRIDAY, February 4
6:30 pm Council Retreat, Villa Ro

SATURDAY, February 5
8 am Men’s Bible Study (Family Room)

SUNDAY, February 6
8:15 am Senior Choir Rehearsal
9:30 am Service of the Word (ELW 5)
10:30 am Fellowship and Time and Talent Fair
11 am Sunday School for All Ages
7 pm Senior High Devotions and Games at Messiah

Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church
Lindsborg, KS

^{Matthew 5:1}When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. ²Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

³Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

⁴Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

⁵Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

⁶Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

⁷Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

⁸Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

⁹Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

¹⁰Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

¹¹Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account ¹²Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

What is your favorite beatitude?

Notice who the blessed are here: poor in spirit, the meek, those who mourn, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, the persecuted. Do you find yourself in any of those categories?

In the context of Matthew's own time, it seems likely that his congregation was experiencing alienation and persecution because of their stand to believe and trust in Jesus. How are you alienated from others or persecuted by them for your faith in Him?

Notice what the blessings are here: the kingdom of heaven (twice), comfort, the earth, being satisfied with God's righteousness, receiving mercy, seeing God, being called God's children. Do you consider these things to be blessings? Are they the things you value most highly?

Do you think the beatitudes are just "pie in the sky," i.e. a future reward for patient endurance in this life? If not, how should they be interpreted and understood? If so, how might this pie nourish and strengthen us? What things might it strengthen us to do here and now?