Jun 2: Sabbath Blessings

Then he said to them, “The sabbath was made for humankind, and not humankind for the sabbath.” Mark 2:27

Jesus had a series of escalating, tension filled encounters with the religious leaders of his day. In our gospel story for Sunday, Jesus knowingly breaks sabbath laws in order to do something good for others. He becomes angered when the Pharisees become so fixated on following rules that they rule out helping others on the sabbath. God created the sabbath as a time of rest and recovery. It is built into the structure of creation and central to the Jewish faith. It is meant to be a liberating gift from God, not simply an ordinance to be adhered to. Join us Sunday as we consider the gift of sabbath.

Jun 9: Family of God

And looking at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.” Mark 3:34–35

Jesus’ ministry and teaching reveals the Kingdom of God. It was received as liberation by many, and often opposed by religious leaders. Jesus is also rarely understood. When Jesus is told that his mother and brothers were there to visit him, he redefines the nature of kinship. It is those who do the will of God that are my brothers and sisters. This was a radical and challenging redefinition of family, that the disciples (and us) may have struggled with. Join us Sunday as we consider this teaching and more.

Jun 23: Storm Front

He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” Mark 4:39–40

Jesus had the power to calm storms. This did not prevent the disciples from being afraid. In times of panic and struggle we often forget that Jesus is with us. We never walk alone and there is power greater than we could ever understand working for us.

Jun 30: Healing Touch

Then one of the leaders of the synagogue named Jairus came and, when he saw him, fell at his feet and begged him repeatedly, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live.” Mark 5:22–23

There are many contentious interactions between religious leaders and Jesus. In our gospel for Sunday, we see Jairus, a leader in the synagogue, repeatedly ask Jesus to heal his daughter. This story shows us the power of Jesus to heal and his heart for those whose loved ones are suffering. This simple and profound truth is worthy of our reflection and holding fast to. Join us Sunday!

Jul 7: Hometown Rejection

He left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Mark 6:1–3

This Sunday’s gospel picks up from last week’s miracles. After healing a woman who was bleeding for 12 years, and restoring life to a 12-year old girl, he returns home to a rude welcome. In his hometown, the people do not receive Jesus as a wise teacher, healer, or a Rabbi. Instead they can only see him as the son of Mary who was a carpenter. They could not receive Jesus because they knew him too well. Instead they rejected his ministry and chose to take offense. There is much to glean from this text, but one key is how Jesus handled this rejection. Many of us would be decimated by the rejection of those who know us best, but Jesus shakes off the dust and keeps going. Join us Sunday as we consider rejection, resilience, and recalcitrance.

Jul 14: Awesome Creator

In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. Genesis 1:1–3

In these opening verses of the Bible God begins creation. By the power of God’s word light and life are brought into existence; from nothing comes something. It is amazing how God created everything and how creation is so intricately made. It is also fascinating that God chose to create everything in the first place. Join us Sunday as we ponder anew God’s creation and our place in it.

Jul 21: Personal God

Then the LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being. Genesis 2:7

Last week we began our sermon series focused on the creation narrative in Genesis 1. In that depiction, God creates by speaking and all of creation comes into existence in an orderly and methodical way. In Genesis 2, we see a different kind of creation story, one that is more organic and messy. God creates Adam (Hebrew for dirt) out of the ground with God’s own hands forms the first person like a master sculptor. God is hands on, up close and personal in the creation. As the story unfolds we see God creating relationships and community for the creation. Join us Sunday as we consider our Creator from a different perspective.

Jul 28: Fall From Paradise

But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not die; for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate. Genesis 3:4–6

Last week we focused on the creation story of humanity and their relationship with God. Adam is given a vocation to “till and keep” the garden and was given the freedom to eat from any tree except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God’s intent was for Adam and Eve to live a life of harmony and trust in the garden of Eden. In chapter three of Genesis we see how this relationship breaks down and humans turn away from God in what has often been described as “the Fall.” God gave us free will and clear guidance for our choices, but we are not forced to be obedient and we often choose to go our own way than follow God’s path for our life. Join us Sunday as we consider our rebellion against God and the consequences for our lives.

Aug 4: Brother's Keeper

Aug 11: Righteous Ark

“I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of a flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.” Genesis 9:11

God speaks these words to Noah after the waters of the flood have subsided. The story of Noah, the ark, and flood is one of the most well known in all of scripture. I remember a mural in my childhood church that depicted all the animals entering the ark with Noah and always felt a warm feeling when I passed by. The Sunday school version of the Flood does not quite do it justice. In Genesis 1, God creates human beings in God’s own image, and by Genesis 6 God is deeply grieved and regrets the decision to create humans. He resolves to destroy the creation and all life, until he finds Noah to be righteous. Join us Sunday as we consider anew the story of Noah and the Flood and what it tells us about God and us.

Aug 18: Righteous Faith

He brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” And he believed the Lord; and the Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness. Genesis 15:5–6

The story of Abraham and Sarah, and the promise given by God, is foundational to the Jewish, Muslim, and Christian faith. It is through Abraham that all three traditions trace their roots. God made a promise to Abraham and Sarah that they would have children, but they had to wait a long time for the promise to be realized. Their faithfulness and trust in God inspires us in our relationship with God. Join us Sunday as we explore their story.

Aug 25: Family Malfunction

When the boys grew up, Esau was a skillful hunter, a man of the field, while Jacob was a quiet man, living in tents. Isaac loved Esau, because he was fond of game; but Rebekah loved Jacob. Genesis 25:27–28

Abraham and Sarah waited a long time for God’s promise of a son to come to fruition. When Isaac was born, their lives were filled with joy, and through their son many nations would trace their roots. Isaac and his wife Rebekah had two sons, Jacob and Esau. Their family, while part of God’s plan to bless the generations, was a dysfunctional mess. Isaac favored Esau and Rebekah favored Jacob, what could possibly go wrong? Join us Sunday as we consider their family dynamics and how God can still bless us in our messiness.

Sep 1: Sibling Rivalry

But Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid! Am I in the place of God? Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today.” Genesis 50:19–20

This Sunday we conclude our sermon series on the book of Genesis, focusing on the story of Joseph. Joseph was the 11th of Jacob’s sons and was the favorite of his father (hence the fancy coat). His brothers were filled with jealousy and, by force, sold him as a slave for 20 pieces of silver and then told their father he had been killed by a wild animal (quite the family). Joseph ended up in Egypt and because of his powerful dreams, grew to great prominence and power in Egypt. When he meets his brothers again, he has the power to take revenge but instead offers forgiveness and reconciliation. He was able to see how God was at work in his life, turning something bad into something good. Join us Sunday at the 8:45am service to engage this powerful story.