Good Morning,
Welcome to your online worship from St. Mark’s for Sunday, September 29, 2024 as we continue through the Season of Creation. This Sunday we are also celebrating and blessing our new signage at St. Mark’s, both inside and out.
In my sermon this Sunday, we are invited to reflect on Jesus’ call to remove stumbling blocks that hinder our journey of faith. We explore how we can clear the way for others to grow closer to God and how our words and actions can point others toward Christ.
Prayer for the Beauty of Creation
Loving God, Creator of all, we thank you for the beauty of Creation; show us, we pray, how to respect the fragile balance of life. Guide by your wisdom those who have power to care for or to destroy the environment, that by the decisions we make, life may be cherished and a good and fruitful earth be preserved for future generations; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Today’s Opening Sentence
Your word, O Lord, is truth; sanctify us in the truth. – John 17.17
Today’s Reading – Mark 9:38-50
John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” But Jesus said, “Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. Whoever is not against us is for us. For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward.
“If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea. If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and to be thrown into hell., And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into hell, where their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched.
“For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”1
Your Online Message and Prayers
Click on the above image to view our online worship on YouTube.
Reflection questions for the week:
- What stumbling blocks, whether in your own life or in your relationships with others, might be hindering a closer connection to God? How can you begin to remove them?
- In what ways can we, as individuals and as a community, act as signs pointing others toward God’s love and grace? What steps can we take to better reflect Christ’s welcome to those around us?
- Consider the role of signs in your own spiritual journey. What “signs” or markers have guided you closer to God, and how can you help provide those same markers for others?
- The cross is the ultimate sign of God’s love overcoming all obstacles. How does the message of the cross inspire you to remove barriers in your life and share the hope of the gospel with others?
A continued reminder that if you are at all uncomfortable being in-person for worship, or if you are not feeling well, please join us here online.
Thank you again for joining with your parish family in our online worship today.
Find out how you can support our ministry and good work in the community here.
God Bless you and have a blessed week. Be well!
Peace,
The Rev’d Canon Rob Park
- Scripture quotation is from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.