With nightfall, our Lenten observance comes to an end. We gather with Christians around the world to begin the Three Days during which we participate once again in the saving power of Jesus’ passing over from death to life. At the heart of the Maundy Thursday liturgy is Jesus’ “mandate” or command, to love one…
A Place of Grace
Sermons (Page 65)
Many members of the congregation helped bring the dramatic message of Palm Sunday alive at St. Mark. The Passion Narrative, according to the Gospel of Matthew, was presented through responsive readings, special instrumental and vocal music, and our choir singing rounds of “Hosanna, Hosanna!” We all waved palm leaves commemorating Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem.…
Tonight we heard Jesus’ command to love one another and were introduced to Simon Peter. Bob B. offered a reflection that Pastor Beth wrote based on the perspective of Peter’s father, Jona. The hatred brewing among the religious authorities is in sharp contrast to the love Jesus commands. Who is right? Who is wrong? Where…
The gospel for this Fifth Sunday in Lent, John 11:1-45, reveals Jesus’s power over death by raising Lazarus from the dead. The prophet Ezekiel prophesies God breathing new life into dry bones. To those in exile or living in the shadows of death, these stories proclaim God’s promise of resurrection. In baptism we die with…
This evening we listened to a homily prepared by Pastor Beth and recited by Jenny. We met Martha, the sister of Mary and Lazarus. Martha described the friendship they shared with Jesus and how painful it was when Lazarus died and Jesus was not there for them. After four days, Jesus came and proclaimed that…
The gospel for this Sunday is the story of the man born blind healed by Christ. I was blind, but now I see, declares the man. In baptism God opens our eyes to see the truth of who we are. Pastor Eric asked us “What is the first question?” Is it “Who Sins”? He told…
Time Magazine’s cover this past week is about the tensions between nations due to what is happening in Crimea. The question posed is whether we are starting another Cold War – whether it is again going to be “Us” versus “Them”. In the Gospel reading this week Jesus is a member of the Jewish…
MAN BORN BLIND – Tonight we listened to a reflection by the mother of the man born blind (written by Pastor Beth and recited by Karen and Don). We hear how this mother loved her son and how his blindness caused her to struggle with her faith and with how her son was treated by…
SAMARITAN WOMAN AT THE WELL–John 4:5-23 Tonight, Pastor Beth introduced us to the Samaritan woman who encountered Jesus as she drew water from the well. Jesus asked her for a drink of water, yet offers her so much more. He offers her himself. He is the Messiah, the Living Water. She can’t help but bubble…
In today’s Gospel from the third chapter of John, Jesus says no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above, born from water and from the spirit. We are reminded in this Gospel that we enter the kingdom because God sent his son to die for us…and all we need to…