Seek God's kingdom first and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matthew 6:33

DON'T MISS THIS SUNDAY'S SERVICE IN WHICH OUR SENIOR HIGH
YOUTH WILL ASSIST WITH AND/OR LEAD MOST OF THE SERVICE!

TOMORROW, February 27
8:15 pm Choir Rehearsal
9:30 pm Holy Communion - Youth Sunday
10:30 am Fellowship
11 am Sunday School for All Ages
2:15 pm Youth Meet for Winter Jam at Trinity Methodist
4:30 pm Philippians Bible Study/Kessingers
6:15 pm Genesis for Gen-Xers
7 pm Senior High Devotions and Games

MONDAY, February 28
6:30 pm Prayer Meeting - 405 N. Chestnut

WEDNESDAY, March 2
3:30 pm KICK
5:30 pm Family Meal
6:30 pm Mentors
7 pm Confirmation
6:30 pm 13 Apostles Study

THURSDAY, March 3
6:30 pm Children and Youth Ministries Task Force
7:30 pm Worship and Music

FRIDAY, March 4
9:30 am Staff Brunch
1 pm World Day of Prayer
4 pm [Bethany College Social Work Reception]

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

SUNDAY, March 6
8:15 am Senior Choir Rehearsal
9:30 am Service of the Word (ELW 5)
10:30 am Fellowship
11 am Sunday School for all ages
7 pm Senior High Devotions and Games

Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church
Lindsborg, KS

Matthew 6²⁴No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.
25Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? 28And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, 29yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. 30But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you — you of little faith? 31Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear?' 32For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
34So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today.

What is it that worries you most?

In these verses, Jesus gives at least five why shouldn't worry about food and clothing. Can you find at least that many?

How would your life be different if you didn't worry about money, food and clothing?

What does Jesus mean by "serving wealth"?

What does He mean by serving God? What does it meant to seek/strive for God's kingdom first?

Is it easy to believe that God will give us all we need if we but strive for God's kingdom first?

Weekend Reminder, Friday, Feb 11, 2011

"You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times.... But I say to you...." - Jesus, Matthew 5:21-22

Receive the teaching of the Master with us this Sunday morning!

"I'll be facilitating three sessions [9 hours total] in the Perspectives on the World Christian Movement Course ,
Sunday night through Monday night in Wichita and Newton.
I appreciate your prayers that God would use my presence and
words to mobilize more people for world mission. Thanks, pastor Dean"
for more information about Perspectives, navigate to www.perspectives.org

SATURDAY, February 12
8 am Men's Breakfast

SUNDAY, February 13
8:15 am Senior Choir Rehearsal
9:30 am Holy Communion (ELW 5)
10:30 am Fellowship
11 am Sunday School for All Ages
1-3 pm Youth Valentine's Coffee - Bethany Home
6:15 pm Genesis for GenXers at the Apels'
7 pm Senior High Devotions and Games at Messiah

MONDAY, February 14
6:30 pm Prayer Meeting - 405 N. Chestnut

TUESDAY, February 15
NEWSLETTER DEADLINE
6:30 pm Sound System Task Force

WEDNESDAY, February 16
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)

THURSDAY, February 17
6 pm Executive Committee
7:30 pm Worship and Music Committee

FRIDAY, February 18
6 pm Scrapbooking

SATURDAY, February 19
8 am Men’s Bible Study

SUNDAY, February 20
8:15 am Senior Choir Rehearsal
9:30 am Service of the Word (ELW 5)
10:30 am Fellowship
11 am Sunday School for All Ages
7 pm Senior High Devotions and Games at Messiah

Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church
Lindsborg, KS

Matthew 5²¹You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, 'You shall not murder'; and 'whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.' ²²But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, 'You fool,' you will be liable to the hell of fire. ²³So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, ²⁴leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. ²⁵Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. ²⁶Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.
²⁷You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' ²⁸But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. ²⁹If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. ³⁰And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to lose one of your members than for your whole body to go into hell.
³¹It was also said, 'Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.' ³²But I say to you that anyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
³³Again, you have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, 'You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord.' ³⁴But I say to you, Do not swear at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, ³⁵or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. ³⁶And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. ³⁷Let your word be 'Yes, Yes' or 'No, No'; anything more than this comes from the evil one.

Does Jesus here contradict the OT law? If not, what is the significance of His interpretations?

Does the passage imply that human reconciliation a more important priority than worship? How do you prioritize reconciliation in your personal relationships?

What does it mean to "look at a woman [or at a man] with lust"? How might we "guard our hearts" from lust? How can we enlist Jesus' help in this endeavor?

Why do you think Jesus is so categorically opposed to divorce? In addition to the effect of divorce on divorced people, who else is effected by it? How can we strengthen marriage bonds as a way to decrease the incidence of divorce?

What do you like most to talk about? What would happen if we were all more circumspect in our choice of conversation topics? If we used our speech to bless others instead of cursing them; to praise God instead of binding Him?

You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored?
You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. - Jesus, Matthew 5:13a, 14

Get your saltiness restored with us this weekend!

As our youth gather in Wichita this weekend, pray that God would bless them with positive experiences around Jesus.

Pray also for our Council and Staff who will gather in retreat this evening and our Council who will gather again on Monday night.

Note that during the Fellowship Hour this Sunday you will have the opportunity to indicate your willingness to serve God in various aspects of our gospel ministry.

TODAY, FRIDAY, February 4
3:30 pm Youth Quake - Wichita
6:30 pm Council/Staff Retreat - Lindsborg

SATURDAY, February 5
Youth Quake Continues
8 am Men's Bible Study

SUNDAY, February 6
Youth Quake Concludes
8:15 am Senior Choir Rehearsal
9:30 am Service of the Word (ELW5)
10:30 am Fellowship - Time and Talent Fair
11 am Sunday School for All Ages
5 pm Global Mission Committee
7 pm Senior High Devotions and Games

MONDAY, February 7
1:30 pm Prayer Shawl Ministry at the Swedish Country Inn
6:30 pm Prayer Meeting @ J & B Petersons
7 pm Council Retreat at Messiah Church
7 pm Women's Ministry Committee
9:00 pm [BYMT]

TUESDAY, February 8
7 pm Social Ministries

WEDNESDAY, February 9
11:30 am S.A.L.T. Lunch (Single Adults Living Today)
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)
7 pm Fellowship Committee-Rescheduled

SATURDAY, February 12
8 am Men’s Bible Study (Family Room)

SUNDAY, February 13
8:15 am Senior Choir Rehearsal
9:30 am Holy Communion
10:30 am Fellowship
11 am Sunday School for All Ages
4:30 pm Philippians Study at the Kessingers
6:15 pm GenX Bible Study at Apels'
7 pm Sr. High Devotions and Games at Messiah

Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church
Lindsborg, KS

Matthew 5¹³You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.
¹⁴You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. ¹⁵No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. ¹⁶In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
¹⁷Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. ¹⁸For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter will pass from the law until all is accomplished.
¹⁹Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. ²⁰For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

What is the essence of the church? What is it that makes it a church? What is our saltiness?

Have you ever concealed the fact that you are a Christian? Why? Can you think of some ways you have shined Jesus' light among others this past week?

How serious do you take "the law and the prophets" (the Old Testament)? Do you think every letter and stroke in it are important?

What do you think Jesus means by "the righteousness of the scribes"? What do you think Jesus means by "the righteousness of the Pharisees"? How can our righteousness exceed theirs?

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?

Follow Jesus with us this Sunday!

Our Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday at 10:30am,
immediately following worship.

Please note, we will not celebrate Holy Communion this Sunday,
but will do so on Sunday, January 30.

Look below for Sunday's gospel and
some questions to think about.

SATURDAY, January 22
8:00 am Men's Breakfast

SUNDAY, January 23
NO SENIOR CHOIR REHEARSAL
9:30 am Service of the Word (ELW5)
10:30 am Annual Meeting
10:30 am Movie for children
11:00 am Fellowship
6:15 pm GenX Bible Study at Apels'
7:00 pm Senior High Devotions and Games

MONDAY, January 24
1:30 pm Prayer Shawl Ministry at Swedish Country Inn
6:30 pm Prayer Meeting at J & B Petersons'
9:00 pm [BYMT]

WEDNESDAY, January 26
10:00 am Martha Circle at Betty Peterson's
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)
7:00 pm Hannah Circle at Dorene Anderson's
7:00 pm Mary-Ruth Circle at Patty Karstadt's

THURSDAY, January 27

7:30 pm Worship and Music Committee

FRIDAY, January 28
Post game "5th Quarter" at the DeWitts - for all youth

SATURDAY, January 29
8 am Men’s Bible Study (Family Room)

SUNDAY, January 30
8:15 am Senior Choir Rehearsal
9:30 am Holy Communion (ELW 5)
10:30 am Fellowship
11:00 am Sunday School for Children
11:00 am A Conversation about Children's and Youth Ministries
4:30 pm Ephesians Bible Study at Ken and Marilyn Sjogrens' (210 W. Columbus)
7:00 pm Sr. High Devotions and Games at Messiah

Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church
Lindsborg, KS

Matthew 4¹²Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. ¹³He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, ¹⁴so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled:
¹⁵"Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles —
¹⁶the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned."
¹⁷From that time Jesus began to proclaim, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near."
¹⁸As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea — for they were fishermen. ¹⁹And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fish for people." ²⁰Immediately they left their nets and followed him. ²¹As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. ²²Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him. ²³Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.

How has Christ illuminated your way in the last year?

In what area do you need his illumination this year?

What is the first word of Jesus' proclamation? (see 4:17)

What is repentance?

What do Simon, Andrew, James and John give up to follow Jesus?

What is the difference between admiring Jesus and being His disciple?

What are the three areas of Jesus ministry according to 4:23?

Would you have followed Jesus in a similar situation? Why or why not?

Have you ever had to choose a difficult path in your work because of your Christian discipleship?

Behold, the Lamb of God!

Join us for Scrapbooking tonight!

Calling all men!
Join us for a good breakfast and a discussion about the gospel of Luke.
8am tomorrow (Saturday) morning.

Don't forget the Open House at the Apels on Sunday, 3-6 pm.
All are welcome!

Look below for Sunday's gospel and
some questions to think about.

TODAY, Friday, January 14
6 pm Scrapbooking

SATURDAY, January 17
8 am Men's Bible Study and Breakfast

SUNDAY, January 16
8:15 am Senior Choir Rehearsal
9:30 am Service of the Word (ELW5)
10:30 am Fellowship
11 am Sunday School for All Ages
3-6 pm Epiphany Open House at Apels'
7 pm Senior High Devotions and Games

MONDAY, January 17
7 pm Council
9 pm [BYMT]

TUESDAY, January 18
10 am Retired Church Workers luncheon

WEDNESDAY, January 19
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)

SATURDAY, January 22
8 am Men’s Bible Study (Family Room)

SUNDAY, January 23
NO SENIOR CHOIR REHEARSAL
9:30 am Service of the Word (ELW 5)
10:30 am Annual Meeting
10:30 am Movie for children
11 am Fellowship
4:30 pm Ephesians Bible Study at Ken and Marilyn Sjogrens' (210 W. Columbus)
6:15 pm Genesis Study at Apels'
7:00 pm Sr. High Devotions and Games at Messiah

Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church
Lindsborg, KS

^{John 1:29}The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and declared, "Here is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! ³⁰This is he of whom I said, 'After me comes a man who ranks ahead of me because he was before me.' ³¹I myself did not know him; but I came baptizing with water for this reason, that he might be revealed to Israel." ³²And John testified, "I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him. ³³I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' ³⁴And I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God."
³⁵The next day John again was standing with two of his disciples, ³⁶and as he watched Jesus walk by, he exclaimed, "Look, here is the Lamb of God!" ³⁷The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus. ³⁸When Jesus turned and saw them following, he said to them, "What are you looking for?" They said to him, "Rabbi" (which translated means Teacher), "where are you staying?" ³⁹He said to them, "Come and see." They came and saw where he was staying, and they remained with him that day. It was about four o'clock in the afternoon. ⁴⁰One of the two who heard John speak and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. ⁴¹He first found his brother Simon and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which is translated Anointed). ⁴²He brought Simon to Jesus, who looked at him and said, "You are Simon son of John. You are to be called Cephas" (which is translated Peter).

Can you find six different names for Christ in the above passage? (two of them are translated)

Beyond the names, what are four ways Jesus is described?

What does it mean that Jesus is the "Lamb of God"? And why does John the Baptist emphasize that name?

Who are some of the people who have brought you to Jesus?

Who are some of the people whom you are bringing to Jesus?

Reflect on your own Christian discipleship. What name would Jesus give you?

"This is my Son, the Beloved,
with whom I am well pleased."
Matthew 3:17

Enjoy the pleasure of the Father
with us this Sunday!

SATURDAY, January 8
8am Men's Bible Study
9am Undecorate the Church

SUNDAY, January 9
8 am Senior Choir Rehearsal
9:30 am Holy Communion (ELW5)
10:30 am Fellowship
11 am Sunday School for All Ages
4:30 pm Ephesians study
at J & B Petersons' (405 N. Chestnut)
6:15 pm Genesis study at Apels'

WEDNESDAY, January 12
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)

THURSDAY, January 13
7 pm T.A.C.O.L. Board Meeting

SATURDAY, January 15
8 am Men’s Bible Study (Family Room)

SUNDAY, January 16
8 am Senior Choir Rehearsal
9:30 am Service of the Word (ELW 5)
10:30 am Fellowship
11 am Sunday School for All Ages
3 pm Epiphany Open House at Apel's

Messiah Evangelical Lutheran Church
Lindsborg, KS