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Letter From Pastor Russ
God’s grace and peace be yours this day!
A lot has happened in the past week. We have a new president in our nation. While many have objected and not everyone has the person in office they desired, we are blessed to live in a nation where a government’s leadership can transfer from one person to another peacefully. In many other nations of the world, war and bloodshed precedes the transfer of power. We are truly blessed to be Americans.
Now I am as patriotic as the next person, and more so than most, but we must keep our lives in perspective. The apostle John has reminded us in chapter 1 of 1 John that God is pure and holy and we are sinful human beings. While this message may not be what most people desire to hear, truth is truth, even if we do not like it. He has also reminded us that he is writing to us precisely because we are the children of God and he wants us to understand who God is for us.
Having laid the groundwork, John reveals the true Gospel in the opening verses of chapter 2. Here again what he says:
My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. (1 John 2:1-2)
John’s focus is that we would understand fully who our God is as the One who is holy and righteous. He desires for us to stand in awe before Him, and understanding how great He is, our lives might be transformed as we turn from our sins and live wholly for Him.
But John is also a realist in the sense that he understands that each one of us is at a different place in our walk of faith. We also know from the whole of Scripture that the moment we gain victory over one particular sin in our lives, there will be another one waiting to ensnare us. While holiness is the goal of a sanctified Christian life, we are sinful human beings who will fail to fully live the righteous life God has called us to live.
Therefore, Paul gives us the heart of the Gospel! But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. John uses the word “if” and not “when.” This in itself tells us something. It is not to be expected that we will sin, but when it does unfortunately happen, we have One who is our Advocate. Jesus is the one pleading our case before the Father when we become entrapped in sin. Jesus is the One who directs the Father’s eyes to our heart of faith and implores Him for our forgiveness. Jesus is the One who constantly ensures the Father is merciful and forgiving to us, rather than giving us the judgment we deserve.
John then expounds the truth of Who Jesus is and how He can do this. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. The word “propitiation” is just a technical word for payment. Jesus did not simply make the payment, but John says He is the payment for our sins and the sins of the whole world.
Think for a moment of what Jesus chose to do for us. As a Person of the Trinity, Jesus was with the Father and the Spirit eternally. One united in heart and purpose. Together the Persons of the Trinity created the world and together the Persons of the Trinity chose to sacrifice to redeem humanity. Each Person sacrificed but it fell to Jesus, the second Person of the Trinity, to sacrifice the most.
Jesus stepped out of Eternity and assumed humanity, human nature, into Himself. From the moment He was conceived in the womb of the virgin Mary He was forever the God-Man. He did not return to being only God after His resurrection and ascension. When You get to heaven you will see the Father and the Holy Spirit as spirit beings, but when you see Jesus, you will see God and man united. Forever!
In addition to this, Jesus gave His life, all of who He was as God and man into death on the cross. Physical death and eternal judgment were the price He paid to become our Savior. It is the full and total sacrifice of Jesus which has placed Him in the position to be our Advocate before the Father.
What Jesus accomplished for us on the cross is the most valuable possession we have. We have forgiveness. We have been given eternal life. We are the adopted children of God who will live with Him in heaven forever.
So, while we celebrate as a nation the freedoms we have and the political system under which we live, it is all temporary. In this world we are citizens of the United States of America. As God looks down upon us, we are citizens of His eternal kingdom. May this perspective guide us as we live our lives in this world.
God Bless,
Pastor Russ
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If you have any needs, or just need to talk,
please contact Pastor Russ at
pastorruss@loveroad.org or 432-553-3522.
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Once again the youth are asking for your support as they partner with thousands of other youth groups around the country and the NFL to help fight hunger in our communities.
On February 7th Souper Bowl Sunday the youth will have your hot pre-ordered soup ready to be picked up between our two services. The soup will come in a 32 ounce cup with at least 24 ounces of hot soup. All the money raised will be used to feed those in our community who are facing food insecurities. Our soup will only be available by PRE ORDERING.
We are offering:
1. Tomato Basil
2. Taco
3. Chicken Noodle
4. Zuppa Toscana
Once you have decided on what soup you would like to pick up you can either call the church or email jaf222@aol.com and give your first and last name and what soups you would like to have waiting for you. Our soup is by donation and your payment must be submitted directly to the church office or offering bowls on Sunday.
For those who are worshiping on campus this Sunday, there will be order forms at the entrances. Simply fill in all information and deposit your order in the box. If you're paying by check please notate for soup on memo line. There will be envelopes by the order forms if you would like to pay with cash to put in the offering bowls.
No orders will be taken after Friday, February 5th. All soup will need to be picked up between our two services.
The youth will be looking forward to seeing you outside the front of the church between 10 and 11am on Sunday, February 7!
Happy Souper Bowl,
Jachin
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The Chosen is the first-ever-multi-season TV show
about the life of Jesus.
Created outside of the Hollywood system, The Chosen
allows us to see Him through the eyes of those who knew him.
No matter where you are at in your journey with Jesus Christ,
this TV show is for you.
Please join us the next 7 Sundays at 10am in Race Parlor as we view Season 1 of The Chosen.
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Please join us as Couples Connection starts
a new study,
The Grace Filled Marriage.
We will be meeting in Zumwalt Hall every Thursday at 6:30pm beginning on January 21st.
If you need childcare, please RSVP.
For more information please contact Joe and McKenna Darden
at jcd674@gmail.com.
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Financial Update
St. Mark's United Methodist Church
2020 General Fund Financial Results
Actual Budget Variance Prior Year
Total Income $788,941 $956,934 ($167,993) $854,692
Total Expense 803,397 931,350 127,953 946,043
Net Income (loss) ($14,456) $25,584 ($40,000) ($91,351)
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If you aren't comfortable with online giving, you can mail a check to:
5005 Love Road, El Paso, TX 79922.
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Need Prayer?
If you have a pressing prayer request that needs to be filled,
email Ruth Lindstrom and your request
will be prayed for right away!
You may also visit our website and fill out a prayer request there.
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This Week at St. Mark's
Wednesday, January 27th
9:30am Online Bible Study with Elaine Frisbie
6:00pm Online Wednesday Night Women's Bible Study
6:30pm Online and In-person Mark'smen Bible Study in the Choir Room
Thursday, January 28th
6:30pm Couples Connection in Zumwalt Hall
Sunday, January 31st
9:00am Contemporary Service in the Fellowship Hall
10:00am The Chosen in Race Parlor
10:00am Kinder -4th grade Sunday School in Zumwalt Hall
10:00am 5th-6th grade Sunday School in Walker Annex
10:00am Nudge Youth Sunday School in Pavilion on Silverwood
11:00am Traditional Service in the Sanctuary
Tuesday, February 2nd
1:00pm Pastor's Bible Class in Race Parlor
6:30pm Divorce Care in the Choir Room
6:30pm Grief Share in the Conference Room
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