Good afternoon on a beautiful but hot and humid Sunday afternoon in July. We celebrated the life of a long-time member of St. John’s yesterday, Claiborne Ball. Our celebration was marked with both military honors and a Dixieland band. Work will continue on the Parish House as we try to put the damage to the roof and shingles to bed (finally). We look forward to everyone’s continued good health or recovery as appropriate. Hopefully we will see everyone in church soon enough.
In worship today we had a celebration of the reminder of God’s providence and being given those things we need, sometimes (often) without our asking for them. We are assured that God does not withhold God’s favor from those who repent and remain in relationship with God. Our reading from Hebrew scripture came from 2nd Samuel and laid out God’s promise to David that David’s line would remain on the throne for Israel, even after the northern tribes broke from Judah. Our Psalmist reiterated God’s favor for David and David’s line. Our gospel from Mark is a story which shows Jesus’ relationship with the Disciples and how he ministers to them. Then how both Jesus and the Disciples are able to make a real difference in the lives of those they come in contact with in God’s economy. Our sermon was based on the reading from the letter to the Ephesians. In his letter Paul reminds us that we aren’t much different in the 21st century than his church was in the 1st century. He also reminds us that our mission is to be ones who break down the walls that divide us and that our ability to break down walls is accentuated by being in touch with people who aren’t exactly like us. The mission of the 21st century church.
I invite your comments,
Les+
Readings: 2 Samuel 7:1-14a; Psalm 89:20-37; Ephesians 2:11-22; Mark 6:30-34, 53-56
Video of worship: https://youtu.be/irxeBwJLuDM
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