The Gospel lesson in Mark 4 is essentially about “crossing to the other side”. Jesus was traveling to the “other side” in a boat with his disciples. As Jesus slept, the storm brewed, and the disciples woke him for help. Jesus rebuked the wind and there was calm. Jesus asked, “Have you no faith?” Whether…
A Place of Grace
Sermons (Page 53)
Mark 4:26-34 is the mustard seed parable gospel. Pastor Beth pointed out that we hear hopeful images in all our readings today. She spoke of the Redwood trees in California that have a shallow root system but the roots spread out widely and intermingle with other Redwood tree roots to support each other. We need…
Today’s sermon, as Pastor Beth described it, was “fraught with F words”. And each scripture reading and the Gospel were portrayed as examples of “keeping it honest and real”. The first reading from Genesis shows the fall of Adam and Eve, each finding fault with someone else, fearing being honest with themselves, with each other…
On this, Holy Trinity Sunday, Pastor Eric gave us many images of the trinity. There is the familiar “Father, Son and Holy Ghost”. But what about “Creator, Liberator and Advocator”, or “Baker of the Bread, the Breadstick, and the Server”? We all have powerful images of God and we use those things around us as…
Today’s gospel reading, John 17:6-19, speaks of Jesus asking his Father in heaven to sanctify in truth and bring joy to His followers and Pastor Eric talked of the meaning of joy and being sanctified in truth. Pastor compared not noticing what happens within our Synod with not noticing the Rhododendrons in his yard until they burst into bloom.…
In today’s Gospel, John 15, Jesus says, “As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you.” This concept of intentional friendship, i.e. one soul dwelling in two bodies, was the foundation of Pastor Beth’s message this morning. It has been said that the best way to develop character is to become friends with those…
In a vineyard, grapevines are drastically pruned to preserve energy and concentrate the nutrients in order to yield a crop of grapes that is up to its fullest potential. The best grapes grow closest to the vine. Jesus says that he is the vine. God is the vine grower and we are the branches. …
St. Mark member Gail F has written a book and wants to share the strong message of God’s presence in times of personal struggle. The story is a “haunting and inspirational memoir” that describes Gail’s younger son Christopher’s “medical hell” of needing a heart transplant at age 15, and then cancer that took his life at age 22. Today’s…
Today was Endowment Sunday at St Mark. A day when a percentage of Endowment Committee funds are given to organizations. This year’s recipients of the fund all center around providing food for those that need it: the garden’s yet to be built Garden Utility Shed Building (shed supports St Mark Community Garden; garden supports food bank),…
On the Second Sunday of Easter, we hear John’s gospel retelling the story of Jesus appearing to the disciples and then reappearing when Thomas was present. Pastor Beth asked the question: Ever have a night mare? The world of dreams is not the same as the awake world. The disciples must have been living a…