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…
NICODEMUS–John 3:1-17 Each Wednesday during the season of Lent, we will meet a different character in the Gospel of John. As an introduction to these characters, Pastor Beth has prepared monologues which are presented by members of the congregation. Tonight, we heard from Nicodemus (read by Darrin Labensky). Nicodemus was a Pharisee who came to…
The youth of St Mark presented an enthusiastic & talented music program. The Sunday School Kids started with ‘Unless You Learn’, ‘It’s a sign of God’s Love’, & ‘Rock My Soul’. Lisha presented ‘Morning’ & ‘Bill Grogan’s Goat’. Nicholas presented ‘Hound Dog’. Skyler & Benjamin played ‘Canzonetta’. Erin sang ‘Hope Now’, Zoe & Benjamin played…
Today’s gospel, Matthew 4:1-11, tells of Jesus’ temptation in the desert. His forty-day fast becomes the basis of our Lenten pilgrimage. Temptation comes to us every day in our thoughts, words and actions. We become less than what God created us to be. Inside us, our soul becomes emptiness which we try to fill with…
Ashes are a rich symbol rooted in ancient customs and practices. On Ash Wednesday, the ritual of making the sign of the cross on our forehead with ashes, is a symbol of our mortality, repentance, cleansing and renewal that reminds us of our dependence upon God. Pastor Eric shared with us a story that talked…