Pew News | St. Mark Lutheran Church and Preschool

John 16:12-15 - (Jesus said) "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all the truth, for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak, and He will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take what is Mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is Mine; therefore I said that He will take what is Mine and declare it to you."

"I want an answer." Who hasn't said those words, even to God? At Lutheran Hour Ministries, we regularly get contacts from people who are looking for an answer—and they want it right now. "Why did my son die? Why does God allow evil in the world? What am I supposed to do with my life?"

Jesus knows we have questions, millions of questions. So did the disciples. And He wants to answer those questions—but He is running up against the same problem parents and teachers face around the world. "My child isn't ready to hear this yet." "The students only get confused when I try to explain this to them." "They don't yet have the foundation they need to understand the answers they are looking for."

And so Jesus promises the Holy Spirit to His disciples. The Spirit will continue to teach them, step by step, until they get to the point where they are ready to understand. And we can trust the Spirit, Jesus says, because He will not be "making things up," but He will be reporting what He hears. The Holy Spirit will pass on to us what the one God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—wants us to know. There is no danger of Him teaching us anything different from what Jesus has taught us.

So how does the Spirit teach us? Maybe you've heard people who walk around saying, "God spoke to me this morning, and He said ..." That's a dangerous assumption to make, actually. Human ideas and desires can and do get in the way of hearing what God says. One fellow back in college even told me God told him I should marry him! (I told him to ask God to tell me also. It didn't happen.)

So where do we learn from the Spirit? One huge place is from the Bible, God's own Word. God the Holy Spirit uses the Bible, whenever we read or hear it, to teach us and to help us grow spiritually. We can use the Bible to test messages we are hearing from other people, whether they are preachers, Christian friends, or people in media. If their message does not agree with what God says in the Bible, it's wrong. It is not for us.

Of course, if we want to use the Bible to tell the difference between true and false ideas, we need to know the Bible first of all. And that's scary for a lot of us. If you'd like an easier place to start, try the Gospel of Mark or Luke. Then try the book of Acts. The more you read, the more the Spirit will use what you read and help it to stick in your memory. You can trust what He says.

(This Devotion was written by Dr. Kari Vo)

The Twelve: A Look into the 12 Disciples of Christ

The 12 disciples were chosen by Jesus to follow Him, learn from Him, and eventually spread the gospel to the world. They were ordinary men—fishermen, tax collectors, and zealots—whom Jesus transformed into bold witnesses of His message. This Bible study will explore their lives, calling, and how their faith impacted the early church.

Bible study will begin Sunday, May 4th @ 10:30 in the sanctuary.

JESUS CONNECTIONS - Following Jesus

Sometimes things don’t make sense right away—like when someone we love goes away or when we feel confused or sad. But we’re not alone! God sends His Spirit to help us, and He promises that even the hardest times can turn into something joyful. Just like waiting for your birthday or a surprise—good things come, even if we don’t see them yet!

Trusting God's timing and finding joy after sadness.

No Jesus Connections this Sunday so children can spend time with their mothers!

Fellowship for May 18 – Cheese, Crackers, and Fruit

There’s nothing like sharing some cheese, crackers, and fresh fruit with good friends to make fellowship even sweeter! Laughter, connection, and snacks—what more could we ask for?

Come hungry, leave happy, and filled with joy!

Lord, provide healing, peace, strength, comfort, and understanding…

Tana Doerr - Recovering in the bounce-back rehab unit from hip surgery.

Jerry Byers - Is back home in Elko however, his pancreas is still inflamed and he is still waiting on the inflammation to go down so he can have required surgery.

Aaron Byers (Helen Cantrell’s son) - Diagnosed with Metastatic Malignant Melanoma.

Helen Cantrell - Health Issues.

Vera Renee Wingerter (Kristie Kraft's Great Granddaughter) - Born on April 14th, 2025; and was hospitalized on April 15th with heart complications. She was discharged from the hospital on Thursday, May 1st, and is at home.

Taylor Wingerter (Kristie Kraft's granddaughter) Home from the hospital and is on antibiotics with surgery pending.

Marguerite Sanchez (Debbie Dwyer’s mother) - Consultation regarding her colonoscopy confirms the masses are nothing more than a harmless concern.

New Catholic Pope Leo XIV - To be attentive to God's word and the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayers.

Prayer requests can now be sent to stmarkelko@gmail.com.

Men's Fellowship Breakfast

Gentlemen, it’s time for food, faith, and fellowship! Join us this Friday, May 16th, 8:30 a.m. @ Stockmen's for a delicious breakfast, great conversation, and time to grow together in faith.

This is a wonderful chance to connect with other men, share experiences, and encourage each other in our walk with Christ. Everyone is welcome, whether you're new or a long-time member!

Bring a friend, and let’s make it a morning to remember!

St. Mark Lutheran Church Voters Meeting

Join us for the St. Mark Lutheran Church Voters Meeting on May 18th, directly after service, where important leadership positions will be filled. Spots open for election include Vice President, Secretary, Financial Secretary, Trustee, and 2 Elders. The Preschool Board also has Vice Chair, Treasurer, Secretary, and Member-at-large positions open. We ask all members to prayerfully consider these roles or suggest someone who would be a great candidate. Let’s come together to strengthen our church family and continue our mission in faith.

Answering the Call: Serving Together in Faith

37th Annual Rhubarb & Rummage Sale Coming Up!!!

LWML will be holding our 37th Annual Rhubarb and Rummage Sale on May 30 and 31 and June 6 and 7. We would appreciate any items you would be willing to donate to the sale. Clean, usable items may be dropped off in the parish hall starting on Friday, May 23. We are not able to accept clothing or shoes again this year.

Thank you for your continued participation in our annual rummage sale. We are able to support many local and national organizations with our mission donations. We would not be able to do so without your help. Thank you!

Come for the rhubarb, stay for the rummage, and help us make a difference!

An Evening with Ernie Couch & Revival

Ernie Couch & Revival, a multigenerational group known across the U.S. and Canada, brings a dynamic mix of 20th-century gospel classics and original songs to town. With over 30 years on the road, they deliver a professional, fun, and heartfelt performance that appeals to all ages. Grammy-nominated and chart-topping, they’ve shared the stage with legends like George Beverly Shea and James Earl Jones. Don’t miss this uplifting evening of music! Learn more at erniecouchandrevival.com or find them on Facebook.

Three Generations. One Powerful Message. Unforgettable Gospel Music. If you want to enjoy a great evening of music, don’t miss seeing Ernie Couch & Revival in concert!

Join us Friday, May 30th @ 6 PM right here in the sanctuary!

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