Reaching Up ... Reaching Out
Faithful Steps
Online Worship
Faithful Steps
“Jesus invites us to step out of the security of the boat take even a few steps outside our spiritual comfort zone and act with even greater compassion and love in our relationships with God and with others.“ Canon Rob Park offers prayers, a short reflection, and reflection questions based on the Gospel reading, Matthew 14:22-33
Online Worship

Faithful Steps

Good Morning,

Welcome to your online worship from St. Mark’s for Sunday August 13, 2023.

I have been praying these last few days for three of our parish youth and Jody Ogilvie, our Youth Coordinator, while they are attending the Canadian Lutheran Anglican Youth Gathering in Waterloo. We are fortunate that Huron is the host diocese for this nation gathering and so, without too much travel, our youth can have the opportunity to be together with youth from across Canada. You can learn more about CLAY by following this link.

Today’s Opening Sentence

“I wait for the Lord; in his word is my hope.” Psalm 130.4

Today’s Reading – Matthew 14:22-33

Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land, for the wind was against them. And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”

Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”1

Your Online Message and Prayers

Click on the above image to view our online worship on YouTube.

Reflection questions for the week: 

  • We have all been through a lot in the past three years or so as we lived through the pandemic and its lasting impact. Whether during the pandemic, or at other times in our lives, we all have had moments where our hopefulness was tested and the strength of our faith was tested. What helped you through?
  • From living through those challenging experiences, how has you faith grown or in what ways has it be strengthen or tempered?
  • Since Jesus heavenly ascension, we, the church, have been the “body of Christ” continuing the proclamation of the Good News. What ways did you reach out to others to help? How were you able to reach out to help others?
  • In what way is you faith been grown in your life today? Or how are you being stretched and strengthened in your faith today?

This week music is again provided by Ryan Van Dijk, our Music Director, and the choir. Thank you to them all for their ministry of music!

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

  1. 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.