This six-session small group experience offers an opportunity to become grounded in foundational spiritual practices and focus on your own spiritual journey.
Revive Lent will meet Wednesdays, Feb. 24, March 3– 7, 24, and 31. Choose from two groups:
Registration
To join a group or ask questions, email Rhonda by Feb. 15.
Learn more about Revive Lent at revive.forwardmovement.org.
A Teaching that is Ever-New: Love One Another
a sermon on Mark 1:21-28
The Rev’d Adam Brown
prepared by the Rev’d Adam Brown
21 They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. 22 They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. 23 Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, 24 and he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” 25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” 26 And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. 27 They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” 28 At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.
Sometimes the anxieties and depression and all the other negative unhealthy stuff in our minds overwhelms us without us even realizing it. Take a moment to be quiet for a bit. Identify all the layers of how you’re feeling, why you’re feeling them, and then let them go with a deep breath.
Take a moment to find a corner of your house gathering dust or clutter and tidy it up. When you’re finished take a moment to feel good about how good it looks.
What are some “unclean spirits” plaguing our society (Globally? Nationally? Locally?) and notice how education and dialogue often make no room for these unclean spirits anymore. How will you educate yourself and grow in empathy and understanding?
Notice how the unclean spirit asked if Jesus came to destroy him. Rather than choosing the path of destruction Jesus told the unclean spirit to simply be quiet and leave – that it was no longer welcome here. How might that inform how we personally deal with things, people, or events that trouble us?
The Rev’d Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a monumental advocate for striving for social change through the use of nonviolence.
You can read more about his journey to nonviolence, as well as his practical and theological thoughts on it, here: https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/encyclopedia/nonviolence/
Holy God, we do not always understand your word or your ways.
Give us wisdom and imagination and courage as we learn and grow.
The story this week has made me wonder about…
(what questions are still on your heart?)
Receive my questions and help me hear your answers.
The story this week has filled me with…
(how are you feeling?)
Accept my praise, heal my hurt, ease my worry.
The story this week has reminded me of…
(are there situations or people you are thinking of?)
Be with all who are in need of you.
In Jesus’ name, we pray.
Amen.
prepared by the Rev’d Rhonda Waters
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news.”
As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea – for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him.
As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him.
You don’t necessarily have to leave your nets to follow Jesus – after all, you may well have followed Jesus to your particular nets. Sometimes, though, we can lose sight of the One we follow in the midst of the day-to-day. This week, as you go through your routine, ask Jesus to make you mindful that each step is intended for his service.
Begin like this:
Jesus, teacher and Saviour, be in my waking and fill my preparations for the day with thoughts of you.
It might seem like there’s not a lot of good news around these days but the good news is still around – you just might have to look a little harder.
Look for the good news. Every day, make a point of noticing and celebrating good news, big or small. Write it down or tell a friend or just hold it close to your heart.
What makes a good leader? Whose leadership do you admire? What kind of leader are you most comfortable following?
Does your description fit with how you might describe Jesus? In what ways yes and in what ways no?
Think back on your life and the decisions you have made. When have your decisions been shaped by a sense of Jesus’ call? What did that feel like? Is there a pattern or familiar shape to that sense of Jesus’ call? How do you attune yourself to it?
The Theology of Work Project maintains that God calls us all to work, whether that work is paid or unpaid. (Fortunately, they also maintain that work is only one aspect of our lives.). While I do not necessarily endorse everything on their website, it is a valuable source of reflection on how work can be – and needs to be – an expression of our Christian faith.
Two articles relevant to this week’s story:
The Calling of the First Disciples (Mark 1:16-20)
Calling & Vocation (Overview)
Holy God, we do not always understand your word or your ways.
Give us wisdom and imagination and courage as we learn and grow.
The story this week has made me wonder about…
(what questions are still on your heart?)
Receive my questions and help me hear your answers.
The story this week has filled me with…
(how are you feeling?)
Accept my praise, heal my hurt, ease my worry.
The story this week has reminded me of…
(are there situations or people you are thinking of?)
Be with all who are in need of you.
In Jesus’ name, we pray.
Amen.
Come and See
a sermon on John 1:43-51
The Rev’d Adam Brown