Good Morning,
Welcome to your online worship from St. Mark’s for Sunday, August 18, 2024.
In my sermon for this Sunday, we explore Jesus’ invitation to partake in the “living bread” – a relationship with God that nourishes our souls, transforms our lives, and satisfies our deepest needs. And we reflect on what it means to abide in Christ and experience the fullness of God’s love and grace.
Today’s Opening Sentence
Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me and I in them, says the Lord. – John 6:56
Today’s Reading – John 6:51-58
I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”
The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” So Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever.”1
Your Online Message and Prayers
Click on the above image to view our online worship on YouTube.
Reflection questions for the week:
- In what ways do I regularly ‘eat’ of the living bread—engage in practices that nourish my spirit? How can I make time daily to feed my soul with Christ?
- What does it mean for me to ‘abide’ in Jesus in my daily life? How can I deepen my relationship with Christ so that it becomes a source of strength and renewal?
- Where in my life do I see evidence of Christ’s transformative work? Are there areas where I need to invite Jesus to further shape my thoughts, words, and actions?
- Do I find my deepest needs being met in my relationship with Jesus, or am I seeking fulfillment elsewhere? How can I trust more in the living bread and living water God offers in Christ?
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.