Good Morning,
Welcome to your online worship from St. Mark’s for Sunday June 25, 2023.
I am grateful for everyone’s ongoing support of the ministry here at St. Mark’s. The restrictions we all were under during the pandemic had an impact on almost every aspect of our lives and returning has provided quite a challenge for many of our ministries.
I am so grateful for the renewed work of the our parish’s Christian Generosity Committee, who in pursuing their work to grow and celebrate our resources of time, talent, and treasure, have found a focus in celebrating St. Mark’s 70th anniversary.
From their efforts, I am please to share with you a short 3 minute video of photos and stories that celebrate some of the wonderful faith moments recalled by some faithful members of our parish family.
Today’s Opening Sentence
“The Spirit of truth will bear witness to me, says the Lord; and you also are witnesses.” – John 15.26, 27
Today’s Reading – Matthew 10:24–39
“A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above the master; it is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher, and the slave like the master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household!
“So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.
“Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven.
“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.
For I have come to set a man against his father,
and a daughter against her mother,
and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;
and one’s foes will be members of one’s own household.
Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.”1
Your Online Message and Prayers
Click on the above image to view our online worship on YouTube.
Reflection questions for the week:
- It is hard sometimes to separate out all the values and rules we have been taught by our culture about how we are to live together from the values our faith holds up for us. What examples of our earthly way of living have you become aware of in your life that have felt opposed your Christian faith?
- Challenging authority with truth with love was central to Jesus’ approach to the religious leaders of his day. What examples of from your life have you witnessed of that kind of approach making a change in your lifetime?
- Money and power provide a lot of influence and attention in our modern world. How do you and I ensure that we are not drawn into living like those earthly measurement are more important than the equal and immense value God has for every person God has created?
- Jesus and the disciples had no earthly power and authority. All they had, or needed, was the Gospel truth. Do you feel the power of the Gospel in your thoughts, words, and deeds as you approach your daily life and all the challenges our world has for us?
This week music is 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
- 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.