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The Beatitudes of Matthew 5:1–12 are proclaimed as the ultimate "God’s Great Reversal," where Jesus turns worldly definitions of success upside down. We are "blessed" not because of our own strength or moral perfection, but because of God’s radical grace meeting us in our "poverty of spirit" and mourning. As we hear that the Kingdom of Heaven is a gift already bestowed upon the broken and the meek, a spirit of profound gratitude fills the sanctuary. Considering these unmerited favors—mercy, comfort, and eternal inheritance—our hearts overflow with joy, leading us to exclaim with conviction, "I'm so blessed, Hallelujah, I'm blessed!". This celebratory response marks the transition from hearing the Promise to living it out, as believers recognize that in Christ, our reward is already "great in heaven". A thoughtful next step would be to discuss how this "blessed" identity can transform your specific daily interactions this week, perhaps by choosing one Beatitude—like being a peacemaker—to focus on in your workplace or home.

The Beatitudes of Matthew 5:1–12 are proclaimed as the ultimate "God’s Great Reversal," where Jesus turns worldly definitions of success upside down. We are "blessed" not because of our own strength or moral perfection, but because of God’s radical grace meeting us in our "poverty of spirit" and mourning. As we hear that the Kingdom of Heaven is a gift already bestowed upon the broken and the meek, a spirit of profound gratitude fills the sanctuary. Considering these unmerited favors—mercy, comfort, and eternal inheritance—our hearts overflow with joy, leading us to exclaim with conviction, "I'm so blessed, Hallelujah, I'm blessed!". This celebratory response marks the transition from hearing the Promise to living it out, as believers recognize that in Christ, our reward is already "great in heaven". A thoughtful next step would be to discuss how this "blessed" identity can transform your specific daily interactions this week, perhaps by choosing one Beatitude—like being a peacemaker—to focus on in your workplace or home.

The Beatitudes of Matthew 5:1–12 are proclaimed as the ultimate "God’s Great Reversal," where Jesus turns worldly definitions of success upside down. We are "blessed" not because of our own strength or moral perfection, but because of God’s radical grace meeting us in our "poverty of spirit" and mourning. As we hear that the Kingdom of Heaven is a gift already bestowed upon the broken and the meek, a spirit of profound gratitude fills the sanctuary. Considering these unmerited favors—mercy, comfort, and eternal inheritance—our hearts overflow with joy, leading us to exclaim with conviction, "I'm so blessed, Hallelujah, I'm blessed!". This celebratory response marks the transition from hearing the Promise to living it out, as believers recognize that in Christ, our reward is already "great in heaven". A thoughtful next step would be to discuss how this "blessed" identity can transform your specific daily interactions this week, perhaps by choosing one Beatitude—like being a peacemaker—to focus on in your workplace or home.

The Epiphany season celebrates God’s light shining into our dark world through Jesus Christ. Isaiah’s prophecy was fulfilled when Jesus began His ministry, bringing hope to those in darkness. Though God’s call may seem ordinary or easy to overlook, Jesus still speaks to us today: “Repent and follow Me.” In turning from sin and walking in His light, we are transformed by His love and share that light with the world.

Worship Service Check-In: http://www.immanuelpalatine.org/checkin

The Epiphany season celebrates God’s light shining into our dark world through Jesus Christ. Isaiah’s prophecy was fulfilled when Jesus began His ministry, bringing hope to those in darkness. Though God’s call may seem ordinary or easy to overlook, Jesus still speaks to us today: “Repent and follow Me.” In turning from sin and walking in His light, we are transformed by His love and share that light with the world.

People often speak about a person’s calling in life. They are describing a unique purpose or vocation according to interests and talents. Often, trying to determine a person’s “calling” or “destiny” is defined by some innate ability or giftedness found within ourselves, something we were born with or somehow born to do. Today we hear of God calling otherwise ordinary fishermen Andrew and his brother Simon Peter. They were called by God through John the Baptist to follow the Messiah, the Christ, Jesus of Nazareth.

People often speak about a person’s calling in life. They are describing a unique purpose or vocation according to interests and talents. Often, trying to determine a person’s “calling” or “destiny” is defined by some innate ability or giftedness found within ourselves, something we were born with or somehow born to do. Today we hear of God calling otherwise ordinary fishermen Andrew and his brother Simon Peter. They were called by God through John the Baptist to follow the Messiah, the Christ, Jesus of Nazareth.

People often speak about a person’s calling in life. They are describing a unique purpose or vocation according to interests and talents. Often, trying to determine a person’s “calling” or “destiny” is defined by some innate ability or giftedness found within ourselves, something we were born with or somehow born to do. Today we hear of God calling otherwise ordinary fishermen Andrew and his brother Simon Peter. They were called by God through John the Baptist to follow the Messiah, the Christ, Jesus of Nazareth.

Isaiah 42:1–9 points us to Jesus, the humble Servant sent by the Father and sustained by the Spirit. At His baptism, Jesus begins a ministry marked by quiet strength and mercy— bringing justice that restores rather than crushes. He goes to the margins to identify with sinners, reminding us that no one is too small to be seen by God. In this season of Epiphany, we see Christ revealed through compassion and faithful service rather than power or display.

Isaiah 42:1–9 points us to Jesus, the humble Servant sent by the Father and sustained by the Spirit. At His baptism, Jesus begins a ministry marked by quiet strength and mercy— bringing justice that restores rather than crushes. He goes to the margins to identify with sinners, reminding us that no one is too small to be seen by God. In this season of Epiphany, we see Christ revealed through compassion and faithful service rather than power or display.

Isaiah 42:1–9 points us to Jesus, the humble Servant sent by the Father and sustained by the Spirit. At His baptism, Jesus begins a ministry marked by quiet strength and mercy— bringing justice that restores rather than crushes. He goes to the margins to identify with sinners, reminding us that no one is too small to be seen by God. In this season of Epiphany, we see Christ revealed through compassion and faithful service rather than power or display.

What great faith Solomon must have had! He could have asked for so much but chose a listening heart. Even the phrase itself is difficult to translate, but the point is that it relies totally on what God will say and do. Mary and Joseph were likewise confounded when Jesus did what He needed to do by staying in the temple. Fortunately, the grace of God is overwhelming, beyond what we can understand. As Paul writes in the Epistle, we are only on the receiving end, as God has adopted us as fellow children with Jesus “according to the purpose of His will, to the praise of His glorious grace, with which He has blessed us in the Beloved” (Ephesians 1:5–6). Are our hearts listening?

What great faith Solomon must have had! He could have asked for so much but chose a listening heart. Even the phrase itself is difficult to translate, but the point is that it relies totally on what God will say and do. Mary and Joseph were likewise confounded when Jesus did what He needed to do by staying in the temple. Fortunately, the grace of God is overwhelming, beyond what we can understand. As Paul writes in the Epistle, we are only on the receiving end, as God has adopted us as fellow children with Jesus “according to the purpose of His will, to the praise of His glorious grace, with which He has blessed us in the Beloved” (Ephesians 1:5–6). Are our hearts listening?

What great faith Solomon must have had! He could have asked for so much but chose a listening heart. Even the phrase itself is difficult to translate, but the point is that it relies totally on what God will say and do. Mary and Joseph were likewise confounded when Jesus did what He needed to do by staying in the temple. Fortunately, the grace of God is overwhelming, beyond what we can understand. As Paul writes in the Epistle, we are only on the receiving end, as God has adopted us as fellow children with Jesus “according to the purpose of His will, to the praise of His glorious grace, with which He has blessed us in the Beloved” (Ephesians 1:5–6). Are our hearts listening?