All are invited to join us for church on Sunday morning at 10 am.  Sunday school is provided during the service. Please stay for coffee and fellowship after the service.

Here are Rev. Marlene’s notes for the upcoming service.

Marlene’s Rev. Notes:

“They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” But they kept quiet, because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.” Mark 9:33-34

Today’s Gospel of Mark, recalls Jesus’ secret journey through Galilee in the northern part of the Holy Land.  During this time, he tries to teach his disciples that he must suffer, die, and rise from the dead.  But they fail to understand him.  They were too preoccupied with concerns of their own grandeur to grasp his message.  After all; what does suffering and death have to do with greatness?  So, when they return to their home base in the village of Capernaum, Jesus asks them about the argument they were having during their journey.  Like scolded children, they remain silent.

However, they seem to recognize that their squabble over which one might be the greatest was not in keeping with Jesus’ message or mission. Their infighting and arguing made them unable to receive any new teaching from Christ.

They were closed off by ambition, and swallowed up by bickering. But, before he could meaningfully teach them about his coming suffering, death, and resurrection, he would have to shake up their all-consuming ambition.  So, Jesus sits them down, and shows them that to receive him, his teaching, and, ultimately, the One who sent him, they must live a life of gentleness and openness as when embracing a child.

The message becomes clear: fighting for God’s grace is futile.  Instead, fostering an open spirit is the answer to selfish desire.  Christ’s way, the way of wisdom and holiness, means striving for humility, not power.