Reaching Up ... Reaching Out
“Who Do You Say That I Am?”
Online Worship
“Who Do You Say That I Am?”
“We do not define Jesus and the totality of Jesus, who is full human and fully divine, is not limited by our human limits. But God came to live among us to be in a fuller relationship with us.“ Canon Rob Park offers prayers, a short reflection, and reflection questions based on the Gospel reading, Matthew 16:13-20.
Online Worship

“Who Do You Say That I Am?”

Good Morning,

Welcome to your online worship from St. Mark’s for Sunday August 27, 2023.

Last week was a blessed week for St. Mark’s ministry to our wider community. On Monday our volunteer team help prepare and serve over 160 meals to folks in need in our community at the Blessing Centre Dinner. And then on Friday, another great group of St. Mark’s volunteers hosted a free community BBQ with games with school supplies as prizes, and sent the children in our community back to school with God’s many blessings on them. I am so grateful to all who help and supported these good works in our community.

Today’s Opening Sentence

Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. – Matthew 16.16

Today’s Reading – Matthew 16:13-20

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, but others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.1

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Reflection questions for the week: 

  • Since my sermon is about the two questions Jesus asks, let’s start there. How would you answer the question of “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” If you were answering that question in your life today?
  • Why do you think that the people around you would answer that way?
  • How would you answer the second and more personal question, “Who do you say that I am?” if Jesus were asking you that question today?
  • I know we are Anglicans who often find it hard to speak to others about our faith, but I encourage you to reflect on how you might be able to express to someone else you know, what you think about who Jesus is and what that means to you in words that you are comfortable in and in way that is true to your faith in Christ.

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.