Blessed Are You

"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5

“Bless you!” This is a familiar phrase when someone sneezes, or a common response given to someone who has experienced a tragedy. In this Sunday’s Gospel from Matthew, we hear the familiar passage called the “beatitudes”. Jesus begins each verse with “blessed are you…”, where he redefines what blessings are by showing us that true fulfillment comes from humility, mercy, and peacemaking, not worldly success.

Are you blessed? How do you measure success? As a follower of Jesus, do you understand what it means to be blessed by God? Let’s read through the Beatitudes this Sunday with that in mind and find out!

First Evangelical will host our Annual Congregational meeting following worship this Sunday. If we have your email, you should have gotten a copy sent to you. Printed copies will also be available on Sunday morning. To be eligible to vote, you need to have contributed and communed at least once in the last two years. Meetings like this are an opportunity for us to look back at the year and review the ministry accomplishments, challenges, and finances. It is also a time for us look ahead and pray for guidance from God in what we should be doing next.
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Are we blessed? Let’s seek God’s blessing as we move forward into our 100^th year!

This Sunday, don’t forget to dress warm! It will be a bit cooler than normal in church with the freezing temperatures outside. A while ago, someone suggested we should have quilts in church available when the air conditioning is too cold. The natural air condition outside might require us to do this a bit sooner than this summer! Bring a quilt, donate it if you can. Leave it draped across the back pews when you go and share the warmth with others.

A very special thank you to everyone who helped out or came last Sunday to our outdoor community celebration worship service in the basketball courts. It was a glorious day with different preachers, singers, musicians, food and fun! I’m so thankful it was held last week and not before or this Sunday, or it would have been way too cold. I actually overloaded my “solar panel” and sunburned the top of my head. Click on this link to watch a short video summary of all nine ministries taking part in this wonderful event kicking off our centennial year: https://youtu.be/D9ObLg9-OuE  God bless you!

In Christ;
Pastor Dan

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

- Remember to join us for a delicious lunch Sunday following worship (or after the annual meeting) this Sunday in the Fellowship Hall.

- Are you looking for a church home, or do you know someone who might be? Please contact the office or talk to one of the pastors for more information.

- TheFirst Evangelical Church Council will meet after worship on Sunday, February 8th.

- Holy Cross’ Church Council will meet after worship on February 8th and the Annual Congregational meeting will be after worship on Sunday, February 15th.

- Have you visited First’s website lately? Check out the weekly blogs, recent bulletins. Did you know we have regular social media posts? Like or follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Share favorite posts! Are you interested in receiving a weekly update from Pastor Dan with a preview for the upcoming Sunday? Email your address and ask to subscribe to “First Word” at felcpastor1@gmail.com.

- Join us on Ash Wednesday, February 18th, for the imposition of ashes. Drop by from noon to 1:00 or 6:00-7:00 p.m. for a brief prayer and ashes. Beginning February 25th, we will have a study on the Miracles of Jesus. Come at 6:30 pm for a soup supper, with the study beginning at 7:00 pm. in the Fellowship Hall.

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This email is a ministry outreach of First Evangelical Lutheran Church. It issent out to persons connected with the ministry, including Holy Crossministries and other friends who desire “to witness, share and live the GoodNews of our Lord Jesus Christ in this community and in the world by service,education, fellowship and worship.”

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