We are reading the gospel of Mark this Spring. We are looking for clues about discipleship, our calling to help others follow Jesus. After Jesus called his first disciples, he began to preach and people were astonished.
His authority was asserted as he performed a great number of healings.

But as his popularity rose, so did objections to his practices. Jesus responded with persuasive arguments about his authority. “I am the bridegroom.” My teaching is “new wine that requires fresh wineskins.”

“The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” In preparation for this Sunday, please read Mark 1 & 2.We have been given the ministry of reconciliation, God making his appeal through us. Jesus changes everything about life and that is what we are trying to help others understand. We hope to see you this Sunday, our graduation Sunday!

The second quote of Jesus in the book of Mark is, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” As we continue our exploration of discipleship, we are going to look at what Jesus did when he invited the first disciples to follow him and their response. Through this narrative, Jesus models what we can do to begin to fulfill Jesus commission, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.

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

This month, we are discussing our congregation’s vision of Pursuing Impact Together. This means we pursue God and his Kingdom. We seek his presence in worship on Sundays. In addition, we aspire to increase our impact in the World.

Impacting the World for God’s glory is both simple and profound. We make a difference every day when we use our talents and resources to help meet the needs of others. This may simply be parenting well, supporting a child or missionary overseas, praying for those in need or emotionally supporting a friend.

However, we also have a great opportunity to serve larger causes and ministries as we join together. Long term commitments to serving our congregation, joining Angels of Mercy, volunteering at local schools, feeding the hungry, and helping refugees. There are endless opportunities for us to really impact the lives of others.

This Sunday, we will celebrate the recent new financial gifts made by Deerbrook to four local organizations (education, youth intervention, refugees and couples healing). We will talk about opportunities for each of us to volunteer.

“Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.” 1 Corinthians 12:7

Welcome to Spring. Welcome to a season of new growth, warming temperatures and sunshine. As the calendar turns to April, we will discuss the vision of Deerbrook. Our vision is Pursuing Impact Together. This means we pursue God himself. We seek the presence of God in private devotional times and in conversations with caring friends.
We seek his presence in worship on Sunday mornings.

As we seek God, we seek his will. Lord, change us from the inside that we may embrace the righteousness of God and become a loving community. Scripture is clear, others give glory to God as his followers live into loving relationships.

Finally, to seek God is to seek his Kingdom. We strive to make a difference in the World because that also gives glory to God. He has created us to do good things that he has prepared for us in advance. We bless those we meet in day-to-day situations. We care for the sick, we serve the poor, we share the good news of Christ. God may your light shine in our community. This is our hope.

“Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. Lord Almighty, blessed is the one who trusts in you.”

Psalm 84:5,12

This is it; this is our weekend. Good Friday & Easter Sunday. Since the beginning of time, God has orchestrated his plan to save his people. The creation of the World was tainted by the disobedience of humanity. Everywhere we look are signs of pride, lust, greed and anger. Nations at war, humans in conflict with one another, separated from God and one another by our sins.

And then God the Father sends his one and only Son into the World to save us. Jesus saves us from ourselves, he moves us beyond hatred. Jesus saves us from darkness and rescues us from condemnation. We may ask, “did Jesus know he must die?” The answer is a resounding yes!

Aware of the pain and suffering ahead, Jesus stated, “the hour has come.” He took the path of obedience to the Father’s plan and called his followers to do the same. We are to be children of light. Jesus paid the price, died and rose from the dead. Sin & death have been defeated. Celebrate! Truly, God is glorified.

“Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’?
No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!" John 12:27-28