Good Morning,
Welcome to your online worship from St. Mark’s for Sunday, August 4, 2024.
I have returned from a short but restful holiday. I hope you all had a safe and blessed two weeks.
In my sermon for this Sunday, we explore we explore how God puts signs and symbols in our lives, pointing us towards a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. In our passage, John 6:24-35, Jesus invites believers to trust in him as the Bread of Life, offering eternal nourishment that satisfies their deepest longings.
Today’s Opening Sentence
We do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. – Matthew 4.4
Today’s Reading – John 6:24-35
So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum looking for Jesus.
When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” Jesus answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.” Then they said to him, “What must we do to perform the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” So they said to him, “What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’ ” Then Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.”
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.1
Your Online Message and Prayers
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Reflection questions for the week:
- What signs or symbols in my life am I currently responding to? Are they pointing me towards Jesus, or are they distracting me from God’s presence?
- In what ways have I been seeking temporary satisfaction rather than spiritual nourishment in my life? How can I shift my focus towards Jesus as the Bread of Life?
- What is one sign or experience from my past that has been leading me closer to Jesus? How have I responded to it, and what did I learn about God’s character through that experience?
- How can I become more attentive to the signs God places in my life, both the large and small, and what steps can I take to respond to these signs with faith and trust?
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.