One thing have I desired of the Lord... that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life...Psalm 27:4
The Gospel Reading for June 30th (The 6th Sunday after Pentecost) from Mark 5:21-43 tells of two healing miracles in one story...healing of two people of vastly different social strata. Jesus is displaying what a new caring community of faith is to look like by breaking societal prejudices and barriers.
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From Mark 4:35-41, we read the familiar story of Jesus calming the storm. Many "storms" can arise in our life...suddenly and some with great fury. What does it mean to have Jesus in our boat? Pastor Russ offers insights to this story that may help us in our life today.
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Sometimes we may wonder "what good can I do?" "I really don't have much influence". Well, maybe many of us think that we are "small potatoes"...but even small acts of kindness and charity can make a huge difference in someone's life. Pastor Russ reviews two parables where Jesus reminds us that with God's blessing, small things can have a large impact in his sermon "We Walk By Faith."
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One of the most skillfully crafted stories in all the Bible is found in chapter 3 of Genesis, when Adam and Eve ate of the fruit of the tree in the Garden of Eden, symbolizing "The Fall" of humankind. Does this old story still hold meaning for us today in this modern world? Or is God still speaking to us...and searching for us? The title of Pastor Russ' sermon is: "Where Are You?"
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Do you have a busy life? Do you feel that expectations of you are growing and growing? Do you feel some pressure to be more, to do more, to have more? Well, perhaps the 3rd Commandment, "Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy" is meant for you. God ordained for us to rest. "Keeping the Sabbath" is the title of Pastor Russ' sermon for Sunday, June 2, 2024.
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