Welcome to your online worship for Sunday, November 13, 2022.
This week has reminded us of some of the troubles that swirl around us these days, The United Nations has called out to the world with concern about the coming dangers of climate change and our need as a world to work together, conflict continues in the Ukraine settling our worlds super powers against each other, mid-term elections in the USA are unresolved, and there are rising concerns of COVID-19 and other seasonal illness growing in strength and number. Our faith remains a strength for us as Christians, and our Gospel text this week reminds us of troubles Jesus and the early church faced. Our reading is a dire sounding one, but hope is found in you and I being strengthened by our faith in Jesus to help us be people of “endurance” by which we will gain our souls.
Thank you again to Ryan Van Dijk for his wonderful music which accompanies this weeks video, and for his music ministry at St. Mark’s as our Music Director. Read more about him here.
And lastly, a 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.
Today’s Opening Sentence
“Look up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” - Luke 21.28
Today’s Reading – Luke 20:27-38
When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, he said, “As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.”
They asked him, “Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?” And he said, “Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’ and, ‘The time is near!’ Do not go after them.
“When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately.” Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.
“But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. This will give you an opportunity to testify. So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance; for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls.1
Your Online Message and Prayers
Click on the above image to view our online worship on YouTube.
Thank you again for joining with your parish family in our online worship today.
God Bless you and have a blessed week. Be well!
Peace,
The Rev’d 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.