This week we will begin our journey into making disciples of Jesus. Over the next 8 weeks we will discuss the spiritual practice of discipleship as we study the Gospel of Mark. This Sunday, we will unpack Mark 1:14-15 where Jesus says,“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” We will look at how this verse is a foundational component to the destination of discipleship by answering two questions: What gives Jesus the authority to make this statement? & What does this statement mean?

Please join us for worship this Sunday. We will celebrate Communion and the children and youth will stay in service to worship together for Family Sunday.

This Sunday, we will conclude our April series Pursuing Impact Together. As we pursue God, we experience the gifts of the Holy Spirit that glorify God when we serve others. Our impact in the World is often measured by our care for others.

As our society continues to spin into division and unrest, it seems everyone agrees that hatred and conflict cause suffering. We may wonder why is love of others the measure of our faith and our love for God? Perhaps because ‘loving one another’ is God’s plan to address the suffering of the World.

Several ‘one another’ passages come directly from the law, the prophets and the teaching of Jesus himself. And then the letters of the apostles exhort us with over 30 “one another” verses in the New Testament. This Sunday, we will discuss the conversations of those who met Jesus and examine the “one another” commands and commentary.
In addition, we will offer the Discover Deerbrook class after service, for people interested in learning more about Deerbrook’s history, ministries and theology. Please consider joining us.
“For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another.” 1 John 3:11

This Sunday, we will talk about opportunities for each of us to volunteer to serve in local mission. We will hear from Rachel Gibson who serves in a college discipleship ministry at University Nebraska-Lincoln.

Human beings have many needs in common. We have physical & financial needs. We have psychological & relational concerns that need to be addressed. We must grow and mature to survive and thrive in this society. We also understand that we have spiritual cravings for meaning and reconciliation with God. The truth is, we cannot meet our needs in isolation. So, when God created the church, he gifted his followers to help address each other’s needs. It's our family and church communities that give us purpose and opportunities to serve one another. We are members of one another.

We understand we are here because of the grace God has given us. Our health, our family & friends, even our opportunities to create an income are linked to God’s provision. So, who we are and how we live is a response to his mercy. That response includes caring for the vulnerable. The orphan, the widow and the foreigner have incredible hurdles to overcome. This is our topic of conversation this weekend.

“In Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” Romans 12:5