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Jesus said to his disciples whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. The world would see Jesus through their hands as it will through our hands. Retired Pastor David L Nelson spoke today of it being a good thing knowing who we are that we belong to…
I was born and grew up in Tsuchiura, Japan. Tsuchiura is a castle town in Ibaraki prefecture, about 65 km (40 miles) north of Tokyo. My parents used to run a dry cleaner there but have since retired and closed the shop. My grandparents moved from Hokkaido and we all lived together in the neighboring…
In today’s Gospel, Matthew 10, Jesus says, “Do not think I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.” But does Jesus really mean a sword?? He later says, “Put your swords away”, and explains that the kind of army he wants is made up of those who choose…
We were asked how many of us had seen the movie’ Wonder Woman’. The plot line in this movie is the same as the Bible’s: Good vs. Evil. Wonder Woman fights for those who can’t fight for themselves just as Jesus did. He had the crazy wonderful idea of wanting to share God’s Love for…
On this Trinity Sunday, Pastor Eric began his message with Children’s time by showing the kids (and us big kids) a video featuring the number 3. Several of the kids walked back to their seats repeating, “3 is a magic number, 3 is a magic number!” Our entire service was filled with the triune God.…
On Pentecost Sunday, we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is God’s power among us that heals, forgives, inspires, and unites. On this day at St. Mark, five of our students–Aaron, Erin, Hunter, Lisha, and MacKenzie–affirmed their faith and participated in the Rite of Confirmation. They shared faith reflections, selected all…
This is the Seventh Sunday of Easter and, in John’s Gospel, 17:1-11, Jesus prays to his Father in heaven asking that those who will continue his work will live in Unity. Sticks teach us lessons about the church. We were all given a stick as we entered church and Pastor Beth had two volunteers attempt…
What does the Holy Spirit look like? Intriguing question, right? This question was posed by Pastor Beth in her sermon today, the 6th Sunday of Easter. Pastor Beth suggested the Holy Spirit looks like an advocate, some one who speaks for you or takes your side. Our Gospel reading from John 14 tells of Jesus…
In today’s Gospel, John 14:1-14, Jesus tells his disciples that in “the place that he is going”, he has prepared a place for them as well. When they questioned where that place is and how they will know the way, Jesus assures them, “I am the way”. He attempts to further allay their doubts by saying,…
Today was Good Shepherd Sunday and Pastor Eric pointed out that all the readings and songs in our Sunday bulletin talked about flocks, gates and shepherds. In today’s Gospel, John 10:1-10, Jesus talks to his disciples about being a good shepherd but they had a hard time understanding what he meant. In all stages of life,…